pathways, July 09
Signs of Peace: the interfaith letters of Thomas Merton
Christian-Muslim Relations: Guidelines for Catholic in the Diocese of Parramatta
references
William Apel; Signs of Peace: the interfaith letters of Thomas Merton (Orbis Books, New York; 2006)
During the last decade of his life, Thomas Merton (1915-68) corresponded with people around the globe - among them Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Catholics - about the need for interreligious understanding.
This book presents a representative selection of those letters.
Apel says in the preface: "Merton near the close of his life was convinced that God was calling forth a new kind of person - someone whose could honestly, and with spiritual integrity, embrace the truth and wisdom of more than one religious tradition ..." a vocation of unity.
The structure of the letter chapters is simple. Focusing on an exchange between Merton and one of his interfaith correspondents, it identifies a theme which invites the reader into the reflective experiences of the writers. Then towards the end of the chapter is the complete, unedited text of a significant letter sent by Merton to that friend.
The correspondents are Abdul Aziz, Amiya Chakravarty, Abraham Heschel, D.T. Suzuki, Glenn Hinson, Thich Nhat Hanh, June Yunghlut and Dona Luisa Coomaraswamy.
Each of these chapters is self-contained so the reader is not tied to a sequential development through the book. And where the author makes editorial comment, it is beautifully written in keeping with the letters its supports.
I came away from the CRA national Assembly sure of one thing: my profound ignorance of matters interreligious.
From what I have read of Signs of Peace (and my reading is a work-in-progress), it is offering me a sound, insightful beginning to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for such matters - for where better to start this journey than with Merton and his interfaith correspondents, undoubtedly "the early pioneers of interreligious understanding and advocates of international peacemaking".
Penny Edman, editor, pathways
Herman Roborough SJ, Vivienne Keely CHF; Christian-Muslim Relations: Guidelines for Catholic in the Diocese of Parramatta (Diocese of Parramatta, 2008)
" ... This booklet is designed to help; to reassure you that the Church supports inter-religious dialogue; to remove some of the mystery attached to what Muslims believe and, most of all to encourage you to take some small steps in friendship and dialogue." (from the introduction)
The idea of the booklet was born one afternoon when I was driving the Bishop back from a gathering of Catholics involved in a certain ministry, co-author and researcher Sister Vivienne Keely CHF told the CRA Assembly.
She continued:
He had been invited to address the gathering on Christian-Muslim dialogue. At the end, the facilitator divided the assembly into small groups and invited them to return with comments or questions.
What astounded me, and Bishop Kevin too, was the complete lack of awareness, not hostility, but a breathtaking lack of awareness on the part of most of these Catholics that Catholic-Muslim dialogue was happening around them. That afternoon, we decided to do something about (it) by way of a small publication, which would enhance awareness, and provide encouragement.
We are fortunate to have in the Diocese, Fr Herman Roborgh, a Jesuit, who is very well versed in Islam. He and I collaborated on the text of the booklet ...
Readers have commented that the text is simple, and we are delighted to hear that. To present a complex subject in accessible language, and retain the integrity of the topic, is not an easy task. Fr Herman is particularly gifted in that regard. Other feedback suggests that the booklet has been found to be useful in schools, especially for the HSC Board courses in Studies in Religion.
It has found its way into the diocesan seminary in Los Angeles, theologates in Ireland, and to houses of study in Malaysia.
The topics covered are: What is inter-religious dialogue; Muslims in Australia (Sunni/'Shia); The Church's attitude to Muslims; the Qu'rans' teaching on non-Muslims; What does the Qu'ran say about Christians; Christ; What we have in common; and The importance of relationships. It ends with a section on Practical Considerations.
At one stage, Herman was for ditching this page but I held firm because it talks about hospitality, a very important aspect of Muslim life. Catholic women frequently say to me, but not to Herman, "I want to invite them back for a meal but I know there's something about the food? What will I do?" This page tells you what to do.
Sr Vivienne ended her presentation with a quote from a recent pilgrim to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI:
"There are three fundamental impressions: the first is that I found everywhere, in every context, Muslim, Christian and Jewish, a determined readiness for inter-religious dialogue, for encounter and collaboration among the religions. And it is important that everyone see this not only as an action inspired by political motives but as a fruit of the very core of faith. Because believing in one God who has created us all, believing that God is love and wants love to be the dominant force in the world, implies this encounter, this need for an encounter, for dialogue, for collaboration as a requirement of faith itself."
Christian-Muslim Relations was launched late last year by the Hon Barbara Perry, NSW Minister for Local Government and Member for Auburn. Mrs Perry is of Lebanese background, a mother of five and holds her seat with a comfortable majority. She is a woman of strong Catholic faith and supports inter-religious dialogue primarily from that perspective, as well as the perspective more common along politicians, social cohesion, understood by some as "Keeping Australia Safe".
references
Following are some of the references given by various speakers during the Assembly (not in any order)
Michael Fitzgerald and John Borelli, Interfaith Dialogue: A Catholic View (Orbis Books, New York, 2006)
Leonard Swidler, Khalid Duran, and Reuven Firestone, Trialogue: Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Dialogue (New London, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2007)
Secretariat for Non-Christians, The Attitude of the Church Towards the Followers of Other Religions: Reflections and Orientations on Dialogue and Mission (Strathfield: Columban Mission Institute, 2008).
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples, Dialogue and Proclamation: Reflections and Orientations on Interreligious Dialogue and the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Strathfield: Columban Mission Institute, 2008).
Vatican II, "Unitatis Redintegratio: Decree on Ecumenism," in The Basic Sixteen Documents Vatican Council II - A Completely Revised Translation in Inclusive Language, ed. Austin Flannery, OP (Northport, New York and Dublin: Costello Publishing Company and Dominican Publications, 1996)
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Meeting Other Believers (Leominster, Herefordshire: Gracewing - Fowler Wright Books, 1997)
Wayne Teasdale, Catholicism in Dialogue: Conversations Across Traditions, ed. Robert A Ludwig, Catholic Studies Series (Lanham; Boulder; New York; Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004)
David J. Bosch, Transforming Mission - Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, vol. 16, American Society of Missiology Series (Orbis Books, New York; 1991)
John D'Arcy May,
Interreligious Dialogue: The End of Ecumenism? (2001 [cited 9 March 2009]);
available here
Address at the Great Synagogue of Rome, 1986
Amy-Jill Levine, The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus (New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2006)
Hanifa Deen, The Jihad Seminar (Crawley, WA: University of Western Australia Press, 2008) 228.
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