Interreligious peace possible through knowledge, Vatican prelate says

Published: 2004-06-25

ABUJA, Nigeria (CNS) -- Christians and Muslims need to have a better knowledge of each other in order to foster a better relationship, a Vatican official said. Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and guest speaker at a church ceremony in Abuja June 19, said the need to promote better Christian-Muslim relations was urgent. His advice came on the heels of the ongoing ethnoreligious clashes in some parts of Nigeria in recent weeks. "Christians and Muslims can inform one another about their religion. After all, both religions have common areas of beliefs in God, death, judgment, heaven, hell, the roles of the prophets," said Cardinal Arinze, former head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

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