Father Innocent F. Okozi, PhD, okozisma@hotmail.com, The Southdown Institute, Holland Landing, Ontario, Canada and Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey
The digital world has greatly facilitated globalization, in spite of the recent upsurge in nationalism and conflicting ideologies that lead to divisions and attacks on civil and religious liberties as well as polarization of peoples or nations. It is sometimes disheartening to learn that persecution and discrimination based on religious differences still occur in different parts of the world. There is need to build harmony by highlighting and actively working for interfaith dialogue and collaboration. In his Angelus message on September 1, 2013, Pope Francis stated: “It is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.” Therefore, in a world with growing tension and conflict both within and between nations or diverse groups of people, the call to dialogue and invitation to facilitate interfaith dialogue is inevitable for the healing of divisions and harmony in the society. The Catholic Church encourages her members to engage in dialogue and collaboration with members of other religions. The Second Vatican Church’s Declaration of the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, highlights the importance for the Catholic Church to engage in positive relationship with people and communities of other religious traditions. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) has provided several documents that facilitate Catholic approach to interfaith dialogue. In this panel discussion, I would share some of those approaches that will enhance interfaith dialogue.
Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ejyg0wg0ee43f24/APA%202020%20Interfaith%20Dialogue.mp4?dl=0 (Starts at 1:22)
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