(Fiesser) Week 2: The Importance of Interfaith Dialogue

 The Importance of Interfaith Dialogue

       On the night before he died, Jesus prayed for Christian unity.  He said,

         I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. (John 17:20-21)

     Jesus asked the Father for Christian unity.  The Father will always answer Christ’s prayer.  This unity must be visible in our local, national and universal communities.  I have seen this through the dialogue of life (e.g. prayer, social activities, respectful discussions) and through the dialogue of action (e.g. small gestures, food banks, justice and peace, ecology projects).  The Holy See supports and encourages this through the dialogue of shared religious experiences, that transcends the language of dogma.  This can help interfaith dialogue and open door to theological discussions.  I didn’t know there were so many ways to achieve interfaith dialogue.  My cup overflows with grace!

                                            

Peter (The WESTERN Roman Catholic) and Andrew (The EASTERN Orthodox) represent the two traditions of the Catholic Church.  They represent the fraternity between the Church’s Latin and Byzantine traditions. 

     I am learning that interfaith dialogue is a lot like the words of St. Francis of Assisi, when he said, “Preach the gospel at all times.  Use words if necessary.”   We are called to live this interfaith dialogue holistically, not just through words. 

     This week’s classes started with discussions between Christian communities, about the divisions of the past and the need to seek Christian unity for the sake of humanity.  Just today, I happen to find “The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification” on the wall, just inside the Dicastery for Human Development in Trastevere.  Interestingly, this building is located just outside the Vatican walls, but still represents the Holy See. This document provides hope for the future of ecumenical interfaith discussion.

                                  

     This Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was signed by the Lutheran World Federation and the Holy See on October 31, 1999 (Martin Luther’s Reformation Day- 1517).  It’s an agreement on the truth of our salvation and a promise to not let past misunderstandings compromise our Christian unity. It was later accepted by the Anglican, Methodist and United-Reformed Churches. This document paves the way for further respectful dialogue in the future.  The JDDJ renews our hope for Catholic unity. 

     

     I have been married to a Lutheran since 1996, and on our wedding day, we promised each other that we would raise our children Catholic and not allow our faith get in the way of our communion.  The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification makes me smile, as it provides hope for the future of Christian unity.  I’ve been living in ecumenical dialogue for 30 years with my Lutheran husband.  There are many values and beliefs we agree upon, but we don’t allow our disagreements to get in the way of our need for unity.  That’s how I see the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.  It allows respectful dialogue to continue.  How can we be disciples of God if we don’t reach everyone? We need to harvest the dialogues of the past.

               

     The Holy See’s Dicasteries shared their mission work with us today. We learned about the work they do to support the Holy See’s goal of Christian unity, pastoral care, (re)evangelization the faithful. It thoroughly warmed my heart to witness the Dicasteries’ hospitality, effective communication, stewardship and solidarity with those in need.  Despite a busy schedule to coordinate local, national and international projects, I felt like an honoured guest   as they took the time to provide a tour and answer my many questions about how they support human rights, dignity, justice and peace.  I appreciated how they listened first and shared how they cooperate with  many international organizations to reach the goal of ecumenism.  This is such challenging work in 2026.  

                                              

 I attended the Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul while visiting Rome.  Pope Leo X!V wore a red chasuble to honour their martyrdom. 35 archbishops received a pallium from Pope LeoXIV during Mass.  

     I appreciated how the Dicasteries emphasized praying the Nicene Creed and how it helps us make our Christian unity more visible today.  We can also do this through shared action projects as a Catholic community.  It’s not enough for us to just read scripture. Our faith must be lived, as we serve one another.  I share these same values.  It’s not enough to say the words of unity.  We must share the values we live, as a way of renewing the face of the earth.  I believe this is the goal of the Word Council of Churches when they established the Faith and Order Commission after World War II.  It was meant to heal the People of God after war.  The world needs to see Christian communities cooperating with one another, now more than ever. And, why shouldn’t we cooperate?  We all share a Trinitarian baptism, performed with water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  

                                                                 

The oldest monumental Christian baptismal font in the world, built under the rule of Emperor Constantine, seen here at St. John Lateran Church in Rome (c. 315 AD).

     It was a joy to see the Catholic Church organizing further spiritual and theological discussions to help us understand our differences in the past, so we can support ecumenism in our own communities. Interfaith dialogue must support diversity and respectful mutual understanding, not uniformity, to eliminate past divisions. This work takes great patience, kindness and love, because we were not present when these past problems occurred.  We have to listen to one another, while supporting each other’s human dignity, being open to give and receive the grace of the Holy Spirit from others.  It’s a gift that allows us to act with positive spiritual discernment.

                                          

Here we are in the chapel at the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches with Fr. Daniel Gala

     One thought that still resonates with me is that when we draw ourselves close to Christ, we draw ourselves closer to one another.  A strong intrapersonal identity is needed first, and then you can participate in dialogue with others.  When unity is a challenge, focus on yourself and your own personal conversion toward the Holy Spirit, and you will find a way peace with others. Know yourself, then grow in knowledge about your neighbour.  Talk about the past you share, and then, you will find yourself moving toward Christian unity with others. 

                                              

“There is no true ecumenism without interior conversion.”

                           Pope John Paul II

                           Unitatis Redintegratio, n.7

Bibliography

Second Vatican Council. Unitatis Redintegratio [Decree on Ecumenism]. November 21, 1964. The Holy See. vatican.va.[1, 2]