杏MAP导航

SACBC Communications - Pretoria

In a conversation with the SACBC Communication office Archbishop Henryk Mieczys艂aw Jagodzi艅ski emphasized the significance of fostering understanding and mutual respect and expressed gratitude to the SACBC Department of Ecumenism for organizing the event and highlighted the Catholic Church鈥檚 longstanding commitment to interreligious dialogue.

鈥淔irst of all, I am very grateful to the Department of Interreligious Dialogue of the SACBC for this invitation, and I鈥檓 also honoured to have been invited to say the closing prayer,鈥� said Archbishop Jagodzi艅ski.

Unity of God and Unity in God

In an interview, the Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa recalled 杏MAP导航 Francis; 2019 Abu Dhabi declaration on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together and noted the importance of such engagements for overcoming prejudices and learning from one another.

The Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue under the theme 鈥楿nity of God and Unity in God鈥� held recently at St John Vianney Major Seminary, Pretoria, saw the participation of Bishop Jan de Groef of Bethlehem Diocese, representatives from Christian and Muslim communities, including representatives from the Church of Scientology. Also in attendance were Catholic institutions of higher learning, as well as a representative from the Iranian Embassy, and members from the Monastic Interreligious Dialogue (DIM-MID).

South Africa Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue

interreligious dialogue among communities

Archbishop Jagodzi艅ski also thanked the guest speakers, Fr. William Skudlarek a monk of Saint John鈥檚 Abbey in Minnesota USA and Secretary General of DIM·MID, and the Muslim scholar, academic, philosopher, and theologian Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali from Iran for emphasizing the importance of 鈥渋nterreligious dialogue鈥� among communities.

The Polish-born Vatican Diplomat lamented the loss of sacred spaces in some societies, where churches are repurposed for secular uses. 鈥淢any countries,鈥� he said, 鈥渆specially in so-called Occidental countries鈥� church buildings have been transformed into 鈥渂ars and shops鈥� a reality that Archbishop Jagodzi艅ski described as both painful and humiliating.

He said, 鈥淭his is very painful鈥� and 鈥渉umiliating鈥� and urged Catholics and Christians to reflect deeply on whether their actions align with God鈥檚 will or personal desires. 鈥淲hen we reflect about our faiths, about many issues in the church, we should ask ourselves if this is really the will of God or this is our will, our desire,鈥� he said.

Archbishop Jagodzi艅ski expressed hope for fruitful outcomes from the dialogue and gratitude for participating in such an event early in his mission to Southern Africa.