Religious leaders look to recast interreligious dialogue "in humility and hope"
Free photos available see below
Representatives of the world's main faith communities have proposed reshaping the approach to global interreligious dialogue to face threats posed by the current world context more effectively.
"Recasting interreligious dialogue as a practice of humility and hope offers a way of building greater trust," concluded participants in an international conference on a "critical moment in interreligious dialogue" convened by the Geneva-based World Council of Churches, 7-9 June 2005.
"Together may we seize this critical moment and help transform its perils into a pilgrimage of faith that will guide us to a more just, compassionate and peaceful future," agreed the over-130 representatives from ten of the world's religious traditions involved in the event.
<span style="font-weight: bold; "» Specific strategies
The conference outlined specific strategies which aim to shift the emphasis of interreligious relations from dialogue to common action, including new education and training programmes and exchanges which foster a culture of dialogue.
Symbolic actions which promote healing of historical memory, new structures and networks, and action plans at the national and regional levels were upheld as practical ways to follow up.
The conference also enabled open discussion of divisive issues, notably those of religious violence and conversion, and called for repentance and humility that "opens a way to move from a dialogue of strangers to a dialogue of neighbours".
Participants expressed caution about understandings of dialogue that diminish particular identities and traditions, and that generate suspicion and hostility to dialogue within religious communities.
<span style="font-weight: bold; "» A landmark event
Referring to the conference as a "landmark event", the WCC leadership reiterated the strengthened commitment of the worldwide fellowship of Christian churches to interfaith dialogue and understanding.
"Dialogue with other faiths has become a core issue for the WCC," confirmed WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. "We can only be effective and successful in our search for hope if we work together. Together, we can go far towards restoring hope for another possible and better world in which all people may experience abundant life in dignity."
The conference organizer and WCC specialist on interfaith issues Rev. Dr Hans Ucko underlined the specific nature of this event among the many global multi-faith initiatives. "This event was unique because it sought to assess dialogue, and looked at ways of fostering relations which are more realistic and less idealistic. We confirmed the commitment of those involved, and this adds impetus to our own Christian engagement in dialogue."
The final report of the conference is to be published shortly, and the WCC was entrusted with coordinating follow-up to the event.
Speeches, documents and free high resolution photos are available on the conference website:
www.oikoumene.org/interreligious.html
