VATICAN - 4th COLLOQUIUM MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN: DIALOGUE “OPEN RESPECTFUL AND FRUITFUL” A PRELUDE TO NEW FORMS OF COLLABORATION

Tuesday, 9 December 2003

Vatican City (Fides Service) – The 4th Muslim-Christian Colloquium was held from 29 November to 2 December 2003 (8 -11 Azar 1382) at the offices of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican, on the theme: "Truth Justice, Love, Freedom: Pillars of Peace ". The Colloquium was attended by 16 experts: 8 components of the Holy See Delegation presided by Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, respectively President and Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and 8 members of the Delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran presided by His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmud Mohammadi Araghi, President of the Organisation for Islamic Culture and Communications.
Each of the four values highlighted in the theme of the Colloquium, was illustrated and discussed from both the Muslim and Christian points of view. The experience of respectful and fruitful dialogue which characterised the Colloquium confirmed the participants’ conviction of the initiative’s utility and importance for today in view of progressive improvement of relations between the two religions and an effective contribution towards building a world of peace. In this regard both parties confirmed their readiness to study possible forms of collaboration and agreed to prepare for the next meeting in Teheran.
On 2 December the participants were received in Audience by Pope John Paul II. Ayatollah Araghi congratulated the Pope for the 25th year of his Pontificate Papa thanking him for his tireless efforts to promote justice and peace in the world and dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Addressing the participants the Pope said, "today there is an especially urgent need for dialogue, understanding and cooperation between the great religions of the world, especially Christianity and Islam". And he encouraged the participants and “all men and women of good will to join your voices with mine as I repeat that the holy name of God must never be used to incite violence or terrorism, to promote hatred or exclusion ". (S.L.) (Fides Service 9/12/2003 – lines 27; words 382)


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