Message of Vatican Colloquium on Traditional Religions
"Greater Effort in Promoting Interreligious Dialogue"
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 26, 2005 (Zenit) - Here is the final message of the colloquium on "The Resources for Peace in Traditional Religions," organized by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and held Jan. 12-15.
* * *
Peace is a constant quest of all men and women of good will. Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, the Church, in full awareness of the need for peace in a divided world, encourages dialogue in view of better understanding and harmonious relations between believers of different religions. Between January 12th-15th, 2005, in Rome, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue organized a colloquium on "The Resources for Peace in Traditional Religions."
In this colloquium, 24 Catholic experts from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania came together to reflect on what traditional religions can contribute to peace-making in the world. This encounter as well as the previous colloquium on "Spiritual Resources of the Religions on Peace" organized by the same office between 16th-8th January 2003 in Rome, were a follow-up to the Interreligious Assembly held in the Vatican on 25th-28th October 1999; the Day of Prayer for Peace, which took place in Assisi, 24th January 2002; and the Forum for Peace which preceded it.
The participants underlined the specific characteristics of traditional religions. They noted the importance of the following elements: oral traditions, rituals, myths and proverbs, as well as a community-centered vision of life, the sacredness of nature, the unified view of reality, the emphasis on life and relationships, all of which require special attention.
The participants generally agreed that according to traditional religions, peace is more than absence of war or open conflict. Positively, peace is viewed in terms of harmony with all facets of reality, the seen and the unseen, the divine and the human, the cosmic and the historical. Peace also presupposes balance and respect for diversity. Peace in traditional religions is fostered by a communitarian as opposed to an individualistic way of life, [a] relationship with the land and sea which inculcates a sense of responsibility and stewardship with respect to nature in general. Traditional societies emphasize social obligations. Other positive elements towards peace are the readiness for reconciliation in spite of clear perception of the inevitability of conflict; the pivotal role of women as agents of peace; the importance of the family, the elders and the community; and the necessity of restorative justice, as well as forgiveness.
While recognizing the strength of traditional religions, the participants also shared reflections on the difficulties of these religions to uphold their values in the context of globalization.
In view of the above, the colloquium encourages greater effort in promoting interreligious dialogue between Christianity and traditional religions, especially in the local churches where these religions still exist and are influential. The participants insisted on the need for the development of intra-religious dialogue among members of the Church coming from traditional religious backgrounds. Through these two types of dialogue the participants believe that both Christians and the followers of traditional religions will come to a better understanding of the richness of traditional religions, but also of their possible limitations. A well-grounded understanding of these traditions will contribute to the process of inculturation. The Church recognizes that the values in traditional religions can be wealthy resources for promoting peace in the world. It is the view of this colloquium that if we took these resources more seriously, there would be more possibility of achieving genuine peace.
Contact
Catholic Online
http://www.catholic.org
CA, US
Catholic Online - Publisher, 661 869-1000
info@yourcatholicvoice.org
Keywords
Religion, Traditional, Interreligious, Jesus, Pontifical
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 4,718
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol
the FEED
by Catholic Online
- St. Philip Benizi: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, August 23, 2017
- Here are four martyrs who died, protecting the seal of confession
- Trump announces new Afghan strategy - do we get to win this time? HD ...
- Cultured meats coming to a store near you in 2018
- Daily Readings for Wednesday, August 23, 2017
- New research shows global warming is not your fault. Here's why
- Does the Aug 21 eclipse spell doom for humanity? HD Video
Latest Videos
on YouTube
Daily Readings
Daily Reading for Wednesday August 23, 2017
Reading 1, Judges 9:6-15
Psalm, Psalms 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Gospel, Matthew 20:1-16
Saint of the Day
St. Philip Benizi
August 23: Servite cardinal and preacher. Born in Florence, ... Read More
