Thirtieth anniversary of Dialogue and Proclamation
Recently Sr Trish Madigan participated in a Zoom meeting with the Pontifical Council of Interreligious Dialogue to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its document Dialogue and Proclamation issued in 1991. The main message of this document was that interreligious dialogue and proclamation are “both authentic elements of the Church’s evangelizing mission” (DP 77).
In dialogue, Catholics reach out to believers of other faiths and religious traditions, interact with them, and collaborate for the building of a convivial and caring society. As they bear witness to their Catholic faith, they encounter other spiritual travellers and become aware that Truth is sought in a spirit of humility and mutual respect and leads to reciprocal understanding and acceptance.
This teaching was foundational in shaping the Catholic Church’s involvement in interreligious dialogue within Australia and elsewhere. Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, M. Afr., who was PCID Secretary when the document was drafted, at times visited Australia to work with Australian Interfaith Commissions and Committees.
The topic of the Zoom meeting was “Reading ‘Dialogue and Proclamation’ Three Decades Later” from the perspective of the different regions of the world. After introductions by Cardinal Ayuso (President of PCID) and Cardinal Fitzgerald, M. Afr. (former President), the speakers from each region were:
A European Perspective: Mgr François Bousquet
An African Perspective: Prof. Pierre Diarra
An Asian Perspective: H. Ex. Msgr.Thomas Dabre
A Middle East Perspective: H. Ex. Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM
An American Perspective: Prof. Rita George-Tvrtkovic
An Oceanic Perspective: Sr. Patricia Madigan, OP.
After two further theological reflections given by Fr. Mario Menin, SX and Fr. Michael Barnes SJ, concluding remarks were made by Cardinal Louis Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples.
Extract from my presentation:
“All the world’s main faith groups have a significant presence in Oceania – including Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs, Jews, Christians and Muslims. In Australia alone, its people come from 200 countries. They speak more than 300 languages and follow more than 100 religious faiths. Also, in Australia more than 30% of people say they have no religion.
The challenge of interfaith dialogue in the region of Oceania is the challenge of how to engage with the many concrete and cultural realities of the diverse societies in the region, in the framework provided by modern global society. How do religions in a diverse region like Oceania come together to move forward on important issues facing us as a human community in this part of the world? …….”
To find the webinar online go to Dialogue and Proclamation: 30 Year Anniversary Webinar (pcinterreligious.org) (8 June 2021). The papers presented are published in the latest edition of Pro Dialogo (PCID)
