Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zamboanga (Fides Service) - A special service for communications with the media and an agreement with Mindanao State University are two initiatives undertaken by the Silsilah movement for interreligious dialogue in Zamboanga City, in the far south of the Island of Mindanao (southern Philippines), where it works to promote knowledge and harmony among Christians and Muslims The Movement was started in 1986 by Father Sebastiano D’Ambra of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions PIME.
The Movement has a bulletin of information with regard to its activity, seminars of formation and to diffuse Church teaching on the theme of Muslim/Christian dialogue e and peace. The new service, via e-mail, using the new means of communication, is run by film director Marilous Diaz Abaya and co-ordinated at the locale level by Ms Remedios Marmoleno, a former teacher at the Jesuit University in Zamboanga.
The second initiative concerns formation for youth, always an important aspect for Silsilah which organises courses and seminars on education to dialogue and peace. Silsilah signed a memorandum with the state University of West Mindanao to hold seminars and joint initiatives to promote the values of tolerance religious freedom, respect and dialogue. The University has offered Silsilah a space on the campus, with a agreement signed by Rector Eldigario Gonzales, and Father. Sebastiano D’Ambra.
Father D’Ambra says the “work of educating to peace requires patience and goes must reach deep into consciences. It is done in schools, in public places and in families. In Mindanao various groups and bodies work for this. For Silsilah dialogue is a spiritual path which leads to peace. The culture of dialogue as a path to peace is understood and accepted by Christians and Muslims ”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2004 lines 343 words 354)
