Catholic-Muslim Dialogue Improving, Says Muslim Leader
Lois Owen
Correspondent
(
CNSNews.com) - During his recent visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI attended an
Interfaith Gathering at the John Paul II Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C. to speak with
members of several faiths, including American Muslim leaders. His goal was to stress the
importance of inter-faith communication and, especially, to further the Catholic Church's
policy of maintaining good relations with members of Islam.
"The higher goal of inter-religious dialogue requires a clear exposition of our respective
religious tenets," the pope told the gatehring. "The Holy See, for its part, seeks to carry
forward this important work through the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, the
Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, and various Pontifical Universities."
The conflict between Catholics and Muslims dates back hundreds of years to the Dark Ages and
the Crusades. Interfaith communication was not initiated until 1965 when Pope Paul VI
encouraged dialogue between Muslims and Catholics with a statement in his papal document
Nostrae Aetate.
"Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between
Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely
for mutual understanding," Paul VI wrote.
