Basing interreligious dialogue on culture has benefits, cardinal says

Published: 2006-03-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Basing interreligious dialogue on cultural exchange not only makes it easier for all members of the Catholic Church to engage in dialogue, it also opens up new possibilities for Catholics to share the Gospel message with people of other faiths, said the new head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. French Cardinal Paul Poupard, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture and interim president of the interreligious dialogue council, said being president of the two Vatican departments means his job now is "to inspire the entire church to reach out and convey her message to each and every person throughout the world using the sphere of culture." "The unification of the presidency of these two distinct dicasteries conveys the message throughout the church that dialogue with people of other religions in the field of culture is an essential part of her universal mission," he said March 15 in a written response to questions posed by Catholic News Service. Pope Benedict XVI named the 75-year-old cardinal to temporarily head the office for dialogue March 11. The pope said uniting the two presidencies would "favor a more intense dialogue between people of culture and members of various religions."

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