MENU

  • Home Page
  • Celebrating the Anniversary Year of Laudato Sì

      Celebrating the Anniversary Year of Laudato Sì

      back
    • Celebrating the Anniversary Year of Laudato Si'
  • Profile and Information

      Profile and Information

      back
    • The Nature and Goals of the Council
    • Structure of the Council
    • Activities of the Council
    • PCID Profile and Information Brochure
  • Latest News
  • Holy Father

      Holy Father

      back
    • Pope Francis 2013
    • Pope Francis 2014
    • Pope Francis 2015
    • Pope Francis 2016
    • Pope Francis 2017
    • Pope Francis 2018
    • Pope Benedict XVI
    • Pope Francis 2019
    • Pope Paul VI
    • Pope John Paul II
    • A Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together
    • Pope Francis - 2020
    • Pope Francis Speaks on the COVID-19 Pandemic
    • Encyclical Fratelli Tutti
    • Information on the new Encyclical
    • Pope Francis 2021
  • President PCID

      President PCID

      back
    • New President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
    • Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ Documents 2020
    • Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ 2019
  • Key Documents

      Key Documents

      back
    • Vatican II
    • President PCID
    • Roman Curia
    • PCID Documents
    • PCID Statements and Declarations
    • Education for Peace in a Multi-Religious World - A Christian Perspective
    • Serving a Wounded World in Interreligious Solidarity - A Christian Call to Reflection and Action During COVID-19 and Beyond
    • Building a Culture of Compassion
  • Events

      Events

      back
    • In Memoriam: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran
    • Remarks by His Majesty King Abdullah II September 2013
    • Meetings with Hindus, Jains and Sikhs in the UK 12-16 June 2013
    • Assisi - Days of Reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace
    • Special Celebration to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
    • PCID Muslim Events
    • Jubilee Year of Mercy Papl Bull
    • PCID Buddhist Events
    • PCID Events - 2018
    • PCID Events - 2013
    • PCID Events - 2014
    • PCID Events - 2015
    • Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates
    • Pope Francis Apostolic Visit to Morocco
    • Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, m. Afr named Cardinal
    • Pope Francis - Journey to Thailand and Japan 2019
    • Serving a Wounded Humanity: Towards Interreligious Solidarity Meeting
    • 7th Buddhist- Christian Dialogue Postponed
    • Day of Prayer for Humanity
    • Members PCID 2020
  • Messages

      Messages

      back
    • Messages for the Feast of Ramadan (Islam)
    • Messages for the Feast of Vesakh (Buddhism)
    • Messages for the Feast of Deepavali (Hindu)
    • Messages for the Feast of Guru Nanak Prakash Diwas (Sikh)
    • Messages to Followers of Shinto
    • Messages for the Feast of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Diwas (Jain)
    • Message for the 53rd World Day of Peace
  • Pro Dialogo Bulletin

      Pro Dialogo Bulletin

      back
    • Pro Dialogo Bulletin
    • Subscribe to Pro Dialogo
    • Pro Dialogo Bulletin: Index Years 1966 - 1990
    • Correction: Pro Dialogo 163 (2019-3) Excerpt
  • Other Dicasteries

      Other Dicasteries

      back
    • Other Dicasteries - Documents
    • Religious liberty for the good of all - excerpts
  • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran

      Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran

      back
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2008
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - Writings and Speeches
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2018
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2017
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2012
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2013
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2011
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2014
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2010
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2009
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2016
    • Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran - 2015
  • Downloads

      Downloads

      back
    • The Attitudes of the Church Towards the Followers of Other Religions
    • Nostra Aetate Foundation Student Scholarships
    • Dialogue in Truth and Charity Documents
    • Dialogue and Mission Booklet
    • Register
  • Photo Galleries
  • Videos

3rd Christian Muslim Summit


  • Christians and Muslims: Believers Living in Society Catholic-Muslim Summit? 2014

    Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran

    04/12/2014

    “Christians and Muslims: Believers Living in Society” is the theme that we agreed upon for this meeting. As you are aware, society is the space where all its components live, work...

    Christians and Muslims: Believers Living in Society Catholic-Muslim Summit? 2014

    What are the strengths in our religious traditions-catholicmuslum2014.pdf

    III Catholic-Muslim Summit? Rome. Tuesday 2 – Thursday 4 December 2014? 
    “Christians and Muslims: Believers Living in Society”

    His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran?

    “What are the strengths in our religious traditions ?as we strive to prevent conflict in society by the acceptance of ‘the other’”?

    “Christians and Muslims: Believers Living in Society” is the theme that we agreed upon for this meeting. As you are aware, society is the space where all its components live, work and grow. These components can be believers, as it is the case with us, the Jews, Christians and Muslims. But they can also be unbelievers or even atheists. Belief does not give more rights to the believer. On the other hand, unbelief cannot deprive a person of his or her dignity and rights. As believers, we might find ourselves in front of persons or institutions that, while accepting us as citizens, may refuse to recognize and respect an important feature that is very dear to us i.e. to be believers.

    The Catholic Church, while acknowledging the distinction between the role of religion and politics, defends, at the same time, the right of believers to be part of the different aspects of human life: social, political, economic and cultural. Being a believer does not diminish one’s contribution to the good of the society. On the contrary, the believer brings to his society a supplementary set of values that contribute to the good of all its components.

    The question that I have been asked to reflect upon and share with you is: “What are the strengths in our religious traditions as we strive to prevent conflict in society by the acceptance of “the other”?

    Our focus is then, that of prevention of conflict in the society. The means to reach this goal are obviously numerous. The one indicated here is that of the acceptance of “the other”.

    Hence, I wish to share with you some reflections on the “other”.

    Obviously, the otherness refers to difference, to divergence. The other is different from me in one or more of the following: ethnicity, religion, culture, vision of life, political preferences, choices that are of little or great importance. The difference, if not properly managed, can be a source of mistrust, suspicion, tensions and even of violence and conflicts. This is unfortunately the case with tensions and conflicts with ethnic and religious ‘ingredients’.

    Among the motives for the rejection of the other, there is always the fear of difference along with the kind of security one finds among persons who are similar to him or her. However, we all know that differences of all kinds will always remain and that our efforts are to find ways and means to manage them, to reduce the gap between them and certainly not to eliminate them, because we know that that would be an impossible goal. This is particularly true about differences among religions, especially between Christianity and Islam.

    In fact, we know that there are many similarities between our two religions, but there are profound differences as well. Saint John Paul II summarized these differences in his memorable discourse to young Muslims in Casablanca (19 August 1985): “[…] the most fundamental [difference] is the view that we hold on the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. You know that, for the Christians, this Jesus causes them to enter into an intimate knowledge of the mystery of God and into a filial communion by his gifts, so that they recognize him and proclaim him Lord and Saviour.”

    There is an important aspect to be clearly understood with regard to the acceptance of the other. ‘Acceptance’ does not mean to be in complete agreement with what the other thinks or believes in. We, Christians know that there are some fundamental dogmas of ours that are not accepted by Islam and likewise, our Muslim brethren know that some of their beliefs cannot be accepted by us, the Christians.

    In this context, I find strange and useless the discussion among some Christians and Muslims about exchanging of good wishes on the occasion of their respective religious feasts. What is shared, in fact, is not the religious or the theological content of the feast celebrated, but the joy of the friend or the neighbor who is celebrating it. We are all aware of the harm done by the satellite TVs, to peaceful coexistence. However, these instruments, if well used, can be powerful medium of promoting positive interreligious relations.

    “What are the strengths in our religious traditions as we strive to prevent conflict in society by the acceptance of “the other”?

    Fortunately, there are many resources in our respective religions that encourage us to accept the other and to prevent conflict in the society. We should not have any problem in admitting that some texts which, if not put in their historical context, might be read and understood in a way that is not always respectful of the other, encouraging mistrust and exclusion, nourishing an attitude of superiority. This is true, for example, of some New Testament texts regarding the Jews. This could also be said also of some Qur’anic texts concerning Jews and Christians.

    But, there are other texts, more numerous and also with more authority, that call us to the respect of the other, in particular with regard to the dignity and liberty of a person. The instruction of Jesus to his disciples is very clear and meaningful: ?“Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness […]. «And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet».” (Mathew 10, 1.7-14) The Gospel of Jesus is to be proposed and never to be imposed. And therefore, those who are baptized are free to leave the Church and go to another religion or even not to belong to any religion.

    This does not mean that we are pleased when a Christian leaves Christ’s flock, but that we are in duty of respecting the liberty of the person in matters related to conscience and religion. Excuse me dear Muslim friends for saying that the lack of respect for religious liberty in some Muslim majority countries and even by Muslims living in the West, among others, is a major cause of tension between our two communities, besides being a source of the so-called islamophobia. I assure you that we do not lose anything when we respect our brothers and sisters in what is more dear and sacred to them: their conscience.

    What I have just shared leads me to another related reflection. The other should be respected not only when he pleases me or as long as he remains within my parameters. He should be respected and accepted as long as he respects the just laws of the State and the rules of living together, inspired by wisdom and common sense.

    One of the important basis for the acceptance of the other and therefore for social peace is to be aware of the unity of the human family. It is one in its origin: God; one in its end: God; one in its fundamental needs: air, water, food, dress, shelter, etc. The human aspects of our life are one: joy, sorrow, hope, despair, fear, etc. Having all this in common, the legitimate differences – ethnicity, religion, culture, political choices – should not be a reason for refusing the other, ignoring him or her, marginalizing, persecuting, or even eliminating him or her, as it is unfortunately, the case in our days, especially in Iraq and in Syria, and in particular towards the Christians and Yezidis.

    Our meeting here, I would think, is a sign of hope for our troubled world. It is a message to all humanity, especially to us, the members of the great family of Abraham - the Jews, Christians and the Muslims.

    I invoke God’s abundant blessings upon each one of us, on our respective communities and upon all of humanity; we are God’s family. He loves and cares for us.

  • 3rd Christian Muslim Summit Introductory Remarks

    Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran

    Welcome to Rome! My first and foremost thought as I address you is one of gratitude to God, the Almighty and All-loving Who, in His caring Providence...

    3rd Christian Muslim Summit Introductory Remarks

    Introductory Remarks
    by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran

    Respected Bishop Chane,
    Your Royal Highness,
    Respected Ayatollah Damad,
    Your Excellences,
    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Welcome to Rome! My first and foremost thought as I address you is one of gratitude to God, the Almighty and All-loving Who, in His caring Providence, grants us the opportunity to meet with each another and to know one another more or for the first time. In Him, as believers, we find strength, light, peace and joy.

    I have been asked to serve this Summit as its Host Principal. It is therefore in this capacity that I welcome the leaders and participants of each delegation: the Sunni, the Shiite and, surely, the Anglican Episcopal one.

    I also wish to welcome the guests of honor: His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, who represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Rabbi Abraham Skorka, representative of Judaism, and His Eminence Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. A warm welcome with a sense of gratitude goes especially to Mrs. Amy Goldman who, together with others, generously contributed to the finances of this event.

    The Steering Group, composed of Canon Peterson from the Anglican Communion, Mons. Roberto Vitillo, Head of the Delegation of Caritas Internationalis in Geneva, and Mons. Khaled Akasheh, Bureau Chief for Islam at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, worked hard for the preparation and the organization of this Summit. The staff of Il Cantico is doing all their best to make our stay here comfortable. To all these persons and to all those who have worked and are still working with generosity and in silence, our heartfelt thanks. 

    We are gathered in Rome, the heart of Catholic Christianity and one of the most significant cities, as per its history, with its monuments and particularly of spirituality. All this means that Rome has a mission as well, the mission of universality, in other words, Catholicity. In this context, I do hope that we will be able to realize the expectations of Pope Francis who encourages us to be men and women of dialogue, dedicated to the promotion of peace and fraternity and the eradication of hunger and poverty in the world.

    May God help us to be messengers of peace and fraternity, especially through the acceptance of all persons, as our brothers and sisters!

MESSAGE FOR MAHAVIR JANMA KALYANAK DIWAS 2017

Christians and Jains: Together to foster practice of non-violence in families


Dear Jain Friends,

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends you its warmest felicitations as you celebrate the 2615th Birth Anniversary of Tirthankar Vardhaman Mahavir on 9th April, this year. May this festive event bring happiness and peace in your hearts, families and communities!

Violence, with its many and varied forms, has become a major concern in most parts of the world. So, we wish to share with you on this occasion a reflection on how we, both Christians and Jains, can foster non-violence in families to nurture peace in society.

Causes of violence are as complex and diverse as its manifestations. Not so infrequently, violence stems from unhealthy upbringings and dangerous indoctrinations. Today, in the face of growing violence in society, it is necessary that families become effective schools of civilization and make every effort to nurture the value of non-violence.

Non-violence is the concrete application in one’s life of the golden rule: ‘Do to others as you would like others do unto you’. It entails that we respect and treat the other, including the ‘different other’, as a person endowed with inherent human dignity and inalienable rights. Avoidance of harm to anyone in any way is, therefore, a corollary to our way of being and living as humans.

Unfortunately, refusal by some to accept the ‘other’ in general and the ‘different other’ in particular, mostly due to fear, ignorance, mistrust or sense of superiority, has generated an atmosphere of widespread intolerance and violence. This situation can be overcome “by countering it with more love, with more goodness.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 18 February, 2008).

This ‘more’ requires a grace from above, so also a place to cultivate love and goodness. Family is a prime place where a counter culture of peace and non-violence can find a fertile soil. It is here the children, led by the example of parents and elders, according to Pope Francis, “learn to communicate and to show concern for one another, and in which frictions and even conflicts have to be resolved not by force but by dialogue, respect, concern for the good of the other, mercy and forgiveness” (cf. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, 2016, nos.90-130). Only with persons of non-violence as members, can families greatly contribute to making non-violence truly a way of life in the society.

Both our religions give primacy to a life of love and non-violence. Jesus taught his followers to love even their enemies (cf. Lk 6:27) and by His eminent example of life inspired them to do likewise. Thus, for us Christians, “non-violence is not merely a tactical behaviour but a person’s way of being” (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 18 February, 2008) based on love and truth. ‘Ahimsa’ for you Jains is the sheet-anchor of your religion - ‘Ahimsa paramo dharmah’ (non-violence is the supreme virtue or religion).

As believers rooted in our own religious convictions and as persons with shared values and with the sense of co-responsibility for the human family, may we, joining other believers and people of good will, do all that we can, individually and collectively, to shape families into ‘nurseries’ of non-violence to build a humanity that cares for our common home and all its inhabitants!

Wish you all a happy feast of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak!

Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran


President

Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.J.

Secretary

Buckfast Abbey

View Video

Buckfast Abbey

View Video

Buckfast Abbey

View Video

Buckfast Abbey

View Video

For other galleries please click here:

  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • testing gallery

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

  • testing gallery

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

  • testing gallery

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Testing Melody container

lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Testing Melody container

lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Testing Melody container

lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Useful Links

  • PCID Profile and Information Brochure
  • Subscribe to Pro Dialogo
  • An Outline of Interreligious Dialogue - Religions and Fraternity in the Midst of Diversity
  • A Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together
  • Materials on the Document for Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together
  • Pope Francis - 2020
  • Go to Vatican Website
  • Go to Vatican News

Get In Touch

  • Address
    via della Conciliazione, 5
    00120 Vatican City
  • Tel. /FAX
    +39 06 6988.4321/+39 06 6988.4494
  • Email
    dialogo@interrel.va

Pope Francis 2021

1 January 2021
Pope Francis

Design & Build

Buckfast Abbey Media Studios

© 2018 PCID. All RIghts Reserved


Main image copyright: OssRom