Pope meets interfaith leaders, urges culture of dialogue, respect

Published: 2004-01-20

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has urged all religious leaders as well as a committee of Islamic and Vatican officials to promote a culture of dialogue, mutual understanding and respect. In an address to members of the Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee Jan. 20, the pope said, "In the face of the tragedies which continue to afflict humanity, it is all the more necessary to convince people that peace is possible. Indeed, it is a duty." About a dozen representatives of major Islamic organizations from the Middle East and Europe met Jan. 19-20 with officials of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and its Commission for Religious Relations With the Muslims. The Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee was started in 1995 by Vatican and Muslim representatives as a way to promote mutual understanding, strengthen religious values and contribute toward peace and justice.

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