Dialogue is essential for mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among individuals and groups, and it facilitates collaboration and decision-making. With a fundamental attitude of openness, dialogue allows participants to discover new ideas or perspectives, leading to new insights and better options. Dialogue presupposes attentive listening, respectful discussions, and polite reminders. There are various forms of dialogue in different contexts, which may take place in a single moment or through a series of encounters to facilitate sustained and in-depth discussions. While dialogue initially takes place through personal encounters, modern social communication has created platforms for fruitful dialogue among people and groups located in different parts of the world.
God initiated a dialogue of salvation with humankind out of his goodness and love. Humanity did not merit this dialogue. God loved the world so much that he gave His only begotten Son (Jn 3:16). God’s dialogue with humanity is an appeal of love for all, allowing each person to freely accept or reject it. Dialogue was also at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. He engaged in dialogue, especially with his opponents, regarding the Law of Moses and its application to human life. In response to God’s love and Jesus’ teachings, we are called to engage in similar dialogue with others without waiting to be invited into it. The Church, in proclaiming the truth, offers the gift of salvation to all, without coercion, and with respect for the freedom and dignity of every human person (Ecclesiam Suam 72-76).
Ecumenism, from the Greek word “oikoumene,” which means “the whole inhabited world,” promotes cooperation and the restoration of unity among Christians. As missionary disciples, we all feel the pain of division. We believe that a divided Christianity is a scandal to the world and a serious obstacle to the proclamation of Jesus Christ. This compels us to strengthen our prayers and engage more in ecumenical activities. Thus, the ecumenical movement seeks to fulfill the prayer of Jesus: “May they all be one... so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21).
Catholics believe that the one Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of St. Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him (LG, n. 8). Yet, we also acknowledge that Catholics share responsibility for the existing division in the Body of Christ. It is God’s grace which moves all Christians to work towards overcoming past divisions, understanding better their shared faith in Jesus, building a new communion of love through prayer and repentance, asking for forgiveness for past and present sins of disunity, fostering cooperation, and engaging in theological dialogue (UR, n. 3, 4). However, the choice of appropriate ecumenical activity varies in predominantly Catholic or Christian countries compared to countries where the majority follow different religions.
Religions are the living expression of the soul of vast groups of people, carrying within them the thousands of years of searching God. Since God desires the salvation of all through the knowledge of the truth, it is the primary duty of the Church, guided by charity and respect for freedom, to proclaim to all the truth definitively revealed by Jesus Christ (EN 53, 78). Although interreligious dialogue is part of the Church’s mission ad gentes, however, it is not a new method of converting to Christianity. In interreligious dialogue, followers of different religions are encouraged to articulate the contents of their beliefs. Inversely, it is also an opportunity for Christians to discover the ray of truth present in these religions (NA 2). In the context of religious diversity, interreligious dialogue means not only listening to the other, understanding the other religion, but also constructive relations with individuals and communities of other religions, which, in obedience to truth and respect for freedom, are aimed at mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
There are four types of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue: dialogue of life (sharing ordinary daily life at home, work and play with those of different faiths); dialogue of action (working together based on shared religious and moral values to foster the common good for the betterment of society); dialogue of theological exchange (discussion among experts to understand what we hold in common and where our religious differences lie); and dialogue of religious experience (sharing the fruits of prayer and spiritual practices in each other’s religious tradition).
Every missionary disciple must be a builder of dialogue. By fully committing to the process of listening, sharing, and reflecting, one becomes a powerful and credible witness of God, who initiated the dialogue of salvation.
For Reflection and Sharing
1. How did I understand ecumenical and interreligious dialogue before? How do I understand it now?
2. How can I actively foster dialogue in my ordinary daily life?
Fr Alfred Maravilla,
General Coucillor for Missions
