Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) -Vatican II and the documents of papal teaching since the Council inaugurated a new missionary attitude which always commences with a sentiment of deep esteem for what is in every human person, and deep respect for human freedom which leads to the concept of dialogue which goes from ecumenical dialogue to dialogue with different cultures and religions. Therefore the Church's missionary activity must be undertaken in keeping with principles of dialogue with cultures and with other religions.
In this regard the Second Vatican Council declares: the Catholic Church rejects nothing in these religions which is true and holy. In the global context of Vatican II the decree Nostra Aetate exercised considerable influence to create a new spirit of serenity in the Church's attitude towards other religions in view of her universal mission. This new atmosphere was marked on the one hand by acknowledgement of the positive values in other religions and on the other by a sincere invitation to dialogue, respect and collaboration with followers of other religions. Post-conciliar Magisterium continues to encourage dialogue with other religions and cultures as an indispensable component of the Church's missionary vocation.
Paul VI was the first Pope to enter into dialogue with followers of other religions, affirming that the Church must come to dialogue with the world in which she lives. The Church becomes word, message and conversation. John Paul II worked to extend and intensify this positive approach to other religions, which he said are a positive challenge for the Church and encourage her to discover and recognise signs of the presence of Christ. Interreligious dialogue is not to be considered something separate from or contrary to missionary activity, it is part of the Church's global mission. Therefore missionary activity at every level must be permeated by a deep spirit of dialogue, otherwise it will fail to meet the demands of the Gospel.
For fruitful dialogue Christians must be rooted in their faith. From the personal point of view dialogue demands readiness to promote friendship, respect and collaboration. Hence the need to avoid impediments which hamper interreligious dialogue: prejudice, fundamentalism which tends to mix religion and society, syncretism which leads to religious indifference.
Besides truly positive elements there are dangers connected with the concept of relativism, to this vision is opposed, faith in Jesus Christ the only Saviour and faith in the fact that the Church cannot be separated from Christ. This means that Christian mission must understand other religions and accept them in a much deeper way than in the past; but at the same time other religions must recognise their character as Advent, which points to Christ. Consequently religions are salvific not of themselves, but they can contribute towards salvation to the extent to which they lead people to seek the face of God.
Salvation does not exist in other religions as such, but it is connected with them to the extent to which they lead people to the one Good, to seek God, truth, love. In the light of these statements the problem of interreligious dialogue is posed. In the relativist conception they become the opposite concept to conversion and mission, which means putting one's faith on the same level. In actual fact God's will to save all mankind, becomes concrete in paths known to Him, in a relation not only with Christ but also with the Church. (9 - to be continued) (Agenzia Fides 8/1/2008; righe 41, parole 597)
