Pope Francis: interreligious dialogue does not entail setting aside evangelization
May 20, 2014
In a message marking the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Pope Francis said that evangelization and dialogue are distinct but compatible activities.
The pontifical council was called Secretariat for Non-Christians from 1964 until 1988.
“Such a dialogue does not imply relativizing the Christian faith, or setting aside the yearning, which dwells in the heart of every disciple, to announce to all the joy of the encounter with Christ,” the Pope said.
Pope Francis compared the Church’s willingness to engage in interreligious dialogue to Christ’s journey on the road to Emmaus. “Such a willingness to walk together is all the more necessary in our time.”
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Posted by: JimKcda -
May. 20, 2014 11:29 PM ET USA
We need to seek "them" out, tell them about Our Lord, ask them to join us. Hopefully they will have generous hearts and respond favorably. How else will they learn about Jesus if we don't talk to them and invite them in. Isn't this what evangelization is all about?! For too long we have considered ourselves special (the elect) written them off and refused to talk to them. And that has not worked very well! We must leave our safe homes and risk talking to others if we are to spread the Faith!
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Posted by: koinonia -
May. 20, 2014 2:04 PM ET USA
At Emmaus the Good Lord opened their eyes. "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” The men invited Our Lord to join them (open to grace); they insisted he stop and stay with them (generous hearts), and they professed him (act of faith) afterward. Our Lord sought them out (evangelized) them; they responded.
