Archbishop: Catholic schools need courses in non-Christian religions

Published: 2004-10-28

ROME (CNS) -- As Catholic colleges and universities seek to strengthen their Catholic identity, cutting courses in non-Christian religions is actually counterproductive, a Vatican official said. "Interreligious dialogue belongs properly to an educational institution engaged in the search for truth," said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education. Archbishop Miller spoke at a conference moderated by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Two Catholic professors and a Muslim doctoral student also participated in the Oct. 27 discussion on Catholic higher education and respect for non-Christian religions. The discussion was sponsored by the Lay Center at Foyer Unitas in anticipation of the 40th anniversary in 2005 of "Nostra Aetate," the Second Vatican Council's declaration on non-Christian religions.

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