VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (12) - Meeting with organizations for interreligious dialogue: “Together we can proclaim that God exists and can be known, that the earth is his creation, that we are his creatures, and that he calls every man and woman to a way of life that respects his design for the world.”

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – After the visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, where an encounter was held with organizations for interreligious dialogue. The Pope addressed the representatives from various religions in the Holy Land, saying: “Faith is always lived within a culture. The history of religion shows that a community of believers proceeds by degrees of faithfulness to God, drawing from and shaping the culture it meets. This same dynamic is found in individual believers from the great monotheistic traditions...Today, nearly four thousand years after Abraham, the encounter of religions with culture occurs not simply on a geographical plane. Certain aspects of globalization and in particular the world of the internet have created a vast virtual culture, the worth of which is as varied as its countless manifestations.”
The Pope observed that “undoubtedly much has been achieved to create a sense of closeness and unity within the world-wide human family,” however, “the boundless array of portals through which people so readily access undifferentiated sources of information can easily become an instrument of increasing fragmentation: the unity of knowledge is shattered and the complex skills of critique, discernment and discrimination learned through academic and ethical traditions are at times bypassed or neglected.”
Reflecting on the contribution of religion to the cultures of the world against the backdrop of rapid globalization, Benedict XVI highlighted that “as believers or religious persons we are presented with the challenge to proclaim with clarity what we share in common...every culture with its inner capacity to give and receive gives expression to the one human nature. Yet, the individual is never fully expressed through his or her own culture, but transcends it in the constant search for something beyond. From this perspective, dear friends, we see the possibility of a unity which is not dependent upon uniformity. While the differences we explore in inter-religious dialogue may at times appear as barriers, they need not overshadow the common sense of awe and respect for the universal, for the absolute and for truth, which impel religious peoples to converse with one another in the first place. Indeed it is the shared conviction that these transcendent realities have their source in – and bear traces of – the Almighty that believers uphold before each other, our organizations, our society, our world. In this way not only do we enrich culture but we shape it.”
“The one who believes is the one who seeks truth and lives by it. Although the medium by which we understand the discovery and communication of truth differs in part from religion to religion, we should not be deterred in our efforts to bear witness to truth’s power. Together we can proclaim that God exists and can be known, that the earth is his creation, that we are his creatures, and that he calls every man and woman to a way of life that respects his design for the world,” the Pope continued. “Truth should be offered to all; it serves all members of society. It sheds light on the foundation of morality and ethics, and suffuses reason with the strength to reach beyond its own limitations in order to give expression to our deepest common aspirations. Far from threatening the tolerance of differences or cultural plurality, truth makes consensus possible and keeps public debate rational, honest and accountable, and opens the gateway to peace.”
In today's world, God's voice is heard less clearly, and it is often substituted by a “din of egotistical demands, empty promises and false hopes.” Thus, the Holy Father, suggested that we “make spaces – oases of peace and profound reflection – where God’s voice can be heard anew...In an age of instant access to information and social tendencies which engender a kind of monoculture, deep reflection against the backdrop of God’s presence will embolden reason, stimulate creative genius, facilitate critical appreciation of cultural practices and uphold the universal value of religious belief.”
Lastly, in mentioning the various initiatives being promoted in interreligious dialogue and culture, Benedict XVI highlighted that “our duty before God is expressed not only in our worship but also in our love and concern for society, for culture, for our world and for all who live in this land.” He concluded, saying: “Some would have us believe that our differences are necessarily a cause of division and thus at most to be tolerated. A few even maintain that our voices should simply be silenced. But we know that our differences need never be misrepresented as an inevitable source of friction or tension either between ourselves or in society at large. Rather, they provide a wonderful opportunity for people of different religions to live together in profound respect, esteem and appreciation, encouraging one another in the ways of God.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2009)