Catholic-Muslim dialogue finds friendship, growth

Published: 2003-12-31

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims has led its participants to friendship and greater mutual understanding "as companions on the journey that leads to God," a report on the dialogue says. Dialogue "provides a window of opportunity to develop a better understanding of one another as individuals, as religious peoples," it says. It urges other Christians and Muslims to read and discuss the results of the West Coast dialogue and use it as a springboard for further steps -- "to take this discussion of spirituality deeper than we have plumbed and to build consensus further than we have reached." The 29-page report, released in Washington Dec. 30, is titled "Friends and Not Adversaries: A Catholic-Muslim Spiritual Journey." It summarizes the various presentations and discussions that took place as participants met for three days each February from 2000 to 2003 at the Center for Spiritual Development in Orange, Calif. It is the final report of the agreed-upon four-year round of meetings, which culminated in a five-point consensus statement on peace, justice and forgiveness released at the end of the 2003 meeting.

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