Inter-Religious Relations – Our Collective Call & Challenge
Fr. Eliseo R. Mercado, JR., OMI
The advances in Science and Technology and the leveling of frontiers and boundaries have all contributed to a greater awareness of the pluralism of faiths, culture and peoples not only in the world but also in our own community.
Yes, we live amid many and diverse faiths, cultures and peoples. Though many and different we are, we need not be hostile nor indifferent to each other. In fact, these diversities invite us to make a shift in our paradigm from hostility to partnership; from indifference to involvement; and from being close to being open to one another.
This relational paradigm teaches us that notwithstanding our differences and diversities we all live on this earth, in fact, on this piece of land. The bottom line is the affirmation that we are together in the journey through life. For better or worse, we are neighbors and we hope and believe that as neighbors, we can be partners in building not only of a better world but more so of a friendlier community where you and I, and our children live as brothers and sisters.
The first step is to take our pluralism seriously. We need to seriously experience our “kinndredness”.
Second is to be open to learn not only from each other but more so to live with each other in tolerance. Yes, our willingness to accept, to trust and to live together.
Third, is our commitment to guarantee the rights and dignity of every person regardless of faith, gender, culture and color within our society/community.
The basis of this commitment is our belief that all peoples even though they belong to different religions, nations, etc. all form ONE human family, created by the ONE and same God, living in the same world/community, and destined for a common end.
In inter-religious relations there is one WORD that can describe our efforts and endeavors – TRUST! Trust is NOT a universal element in human relations. It has to be slowly, patiently and sometimes painfully built through time.
For emphasis, I take a portion of JP II’ s address at Casablanca Morocco on 18 August 1985.
“People do not accept their differences.
They do not know each other sufficiently.
They reject those who have not the same civilization.
They refuse to help each other.
They are unable to free themselves from egoism and
from self-conceit.
But God created all equal in dignity,
Though different with regard to gifts and talents,
Mankind is a whole where each one has his/her part
to play.
The worth of the various peoples and of the diverse
cultures must be recognized.
The world is as it were a living organism.
Each one has something to receive from the others
and has something to give to them.”
In his visit to the Grand Mosque of Damascus (May 2001), he again reiterated his message of inter-religious relations between Christianity and Islam…
“It is my ardent hope that Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will present our two great religious communities as COMMUNITIES IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, NEVER MORE AS COMMUNITIES IN CONFLICT”. It is crucial for the young to be taught the ways of respect and understanding, so that they will not be led to misuse religion itself to promote or justify hatred and violence. Violence destroys the image of the Creator in his creatures, and should never be considered as the fruit of religious conviction.”
“Better mutual understanding will surely lead to a more objective and comprehensive knowledge of each other’s religious beliefs at the practical level, to a new way of presenting our two religions NOT IN OPPOSITION, as it happened too often in the past, BUT IN PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOOD OF THE HUMAN FAMILY.”
“Many serious obstacles remain, yet the first step towards peace must be a steadfast conviction that a SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE PARAMETER OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS. I appeal once more to all the peoples involved and to their political leader, to recognize that confrontation has failed and will always fail. Only a just peace can bring the conditions needed for the economic, cultural and social development to which the people of the region have a right."
We have embarked into this interreligious relation, precisely, to promote, advocate and “school” the basic concept of religious tolerance and partnership in our diverse world. You and I can and can spell the difference in making Cotabato and the whole Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao genuine zones of dialogue and partnership between and among Christians, Muslims and Indigenous peoples.
#Badaliyya-Philippines
July 31, 2019 – Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola
