The Pope and the Muslims

Here's the text of what he said. (Delivered in French, btw)

Why is inter-religious dialogue necessary? What does it accomplish?

Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue is a necessity for building together this world of peace and fraternity ardently desired by all people of good will. In this area, our contemporaries expect from us an eloquent witness to show all people the value of the religious dimension of life. Likewise, faithful to the teachings of their own religious traditions, Christians and Muslims must learn to work together, as indeed they already do in many common undertakings, in order to guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence; as for us, religious authorities and political leaders, we must guide and encourage them in this direction. Indeed, "although considerable dissensions and enmities between Christians and Muslims may have arisen in the course of the centuries, the Council urges all parties that, forgetting past things, they train themselves towards sincere mutual understanding and together maintain and promote social justice and moral values as well as peace and freedom for all people" (Declaration, Nostra Aetate, 3). The lessons of the past must therefore help us to seek paths of reconciliation, in order to live with respect for the identity and freedom of each individual, with a view to fruitful co-operation in the service of all humanity. As Pope John Paul II said in his memorable speech to young people at Casablanca in Morocco, "Respect and dialogue require reciprocity in all spheres, especially in that which concerns basic freedoms, more particularly religious freedom. They favour peace and agreement between peoples" (no. 5).

Dear friends, I am profoundly convinced that in the current world situation it is imperative that Christians and Muslims  engage with one another in order to address the numerous challenges that present themselves to humanity, especially those concerning the defence and promotion of the dignity of the human person and of the rights ensuing from that dignity. When threats mount up against people and against peace, by recognizing the central character of the human person and by working with perseverance to see that human life is always respected, Christians and Muslims manifest their obedience to the Creator, who wishes all people to live in the dignity that he has bestowed upon them.

Dear friends, I pray with my whole heart that the merciful God will guide our steps along the paths of an ever more authentic mutual understanding. At this time when for Muslims the spiritual journey of the month of Ramadan is beginning, I address to all of them my cordial good wishes, praying that the Almighty may grant them serene and peaceful lives. May the God of peace fill you with the abundance of his Blessings, together with the communities that you represent!

I would ask you to read this carefully and note Benedict's take. Note that what is so common in conversations about such things in this country, especially on a less-academic level - a declaration that it is vitally important to engage in  dialogue so that we expand our own theological vision is not part of Benedict's framework.

And if you read Nostra Aetate, that should be no surprise.

The point is this: we live in a world fraught with the threat of violence, and deep with suffering. The purpose of inter-religious dialouge is to diminish these threats, to clear the way so that people of all religious backgrounds can work together to alleviate human suffering.  And you can quibble theologically with that all you want, and fuss that the only inter-religious dialogue necessary is, "Convert," but that is simply not the reality of the world. The urgency of the suffering of so many in this world requires that an element of our Christian witness be the deep commitment to serve the poor,  a commitment that in order to be lived out, must journey on a road with those who do not share our Christian faith.   And before anyone jumps on the question of "Well, then this just leaves substantive faith sharing in the cold in favor of "charity" and "justice" - read Deus Caritas Est. And really, no conversation about what Benedict is saying at this moment can take place without drawing on that encyclical as well as the declaration Dominus Iesus, which carries then-Cardinal Ratzinger's mark, as well as what Benedict is saying to Muslims in this moment.

And it's fairly safe to say, that a strong undercurrent in the Pope's words continues to be violence and continues to lay the burden on those who would justify religiously-motivated violence. That comes through loud and clear, I"d say.

It is worth noting - the meeting was broadcast live via Vatican radio and television. The Pope delivered his address, then spent the rest of the time greeting the participants, who came from every Muslim nation with diplomatic relations with the Holy See - Sudan was the only one that did not participate.

(And note, not all nations have diplomatic relations with the Holy See - among Muslim nations, Saudi Arabia is one.)

The Vatican Radio report of the meeting can be heard here.