Speech of H.B. Patriarch
Gregorios III
during the Special
Assembly for the Middle East
of the Synod of Bishops
in Rome, 10-24 October 2010
Islamic-Christian Dialogue
From
the early period of his pontificate, during his first apostolic visit to
Germany and his meeting with young Muslims in Cologne, His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI has underlined the importance of Islamic-Christian dialogue, in
the same way as did Vatican II.
The
experience of our Churches shows us that this dialogue is necessary and vital, and
of course that it is possible, contrary to what some are saying.
This
dialogue is taking place on two very distinct levels. There is the properly
doctrinal and intellectual level, that can be found for example in the regular
meetings of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue and the
University of Al Azharor in the teaching and publications of the Pontifical Institute
for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) and other study centres in several of
our countries. Then there is the existential level, that of the everyday life
of our faithful living in Muslim majority countries.
The
Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue is familiar with and encourages
the centres, groups, institutions and initiatives of Christian inspiration
which practise and favour this dialogue, in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jerusalem, Jordan
and Iraq.
It
is important to point out, since this fact is virtually unknown outside the
Middle East, that there are also dialogue initiatives of Islamic inspiration, mainly
in Jordan, but also in Lebanon, Syria, Qatar and Turkey.
This
existential dialogue is that of everyday life in society, in its different
aspects and various dimensions: exchanging good wishes for the major feasts of
both religions, neighbourly relation in cities from which formerly completely
Christian districts have by now vanished, professional relations and relations in
schools and universities attended by Christians and Muslims. This dialogue is
going on in all our countries, except Saudi Arabia, the only country in the
region where Christianity is still outlawed.
The
pursuit of this dialogue is therefore an element of great weight to slow the
emigration of Christians. If they disappear from the region, what would become
of this dialogue, equally important for preventing a conflict between a
predominantly Muslim Middle East and a reputedly Christian West?
This
Synodal Assembly ought therefore explicitly to encourage the pursuit of this dialogue,
at all levels.
Gregorios
III
Patriarch
of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church