Bishops call for commitment to interfaith talks

By LUKE COPPEN
THE BISHOPS of England and Wales underlined the importance of improving relations between religions this week when they issued a new book explaining the Church's teachings on interfaith dialogue.
They hope that the book, which was released yesterday at a major conference on interreligious dialogue, will encourage Catholics to take an active role in building trust between Christians and members of other faiths. Interfaith Dialogue: The Teaching of the Catholic Church presents official Vatican documents in a popular format and is aimed at lay people, clergy and teachers in Catholics schools.
Bishop Kevin McDonald of Northampton, who was expected to launch the book during the conference at Westminster Cathedral Hall in central London, said the events following the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States highlighted the need for harmony among the world's religions. "The events of September 11 have put increasingly before the world the central issue that faces the world today: the relationships between the religions of the world," he wrote in a preface to the book.
"The question of the coexistence of religions is one that can no longer be evaded. Our security and our future are intimately bound up with this matter.
"For this reason the present volume is very timely."
The 62-page book charts the development of Church teaching on interfaith dialogue, beginning with the Second Vatican Council's declaration on religious freedom, Dignitatis Humanae, and ending with Pope John Paul H's January address to faith leaders at Assisi.
Alfred Agius, director of Westminster Interfaith, who compiled the book, said: "It is to inform people about what the Catholic Church teaches on interfaith dialogue. This is meant for Catholics and for people of other faiths, who want to know what the Catholic Church says about dialogue."
Fr Michael Barnes Si, lecturer in interfaith relations at London's Heythrop College, said the book reflected the rapid development of the theology of interreligious dialogue under Pope John Paul II.
He said: "It's an attempt to try to bring together the best of the Church's teaching. particularly as it has been developed under the present pontificate. It's been one of the most powerful themes of the Pope's work."
He predicted the book would also be used by Christians from other traditions, because the Catholic Church "led the Christian world" in theological reflection on interreligious dialogue.
Interfaith Dialogue: The Teaching of the Catholic Church [ISBN 0 905241 22 3] is available, priced £3, from Westminster Interfaith, 23 Kensington Square. London, W8 5HN. Cheques should be made payable to "Alfred Agius".