Prelate says world thirsting for reconciliation, healing among faiths

Published: 2007-11-26

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (CNS) -- Interfaith dialogue has become increasingly important in a world "thirsting for a genuine reconciliation and healing" of age-old injuries resulting from people's misunderstanding of their differences, especially when it comes to religion, said the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In a talk at Jesuit-run Fairfield University on the need for greater understanding among believers, Archbishop Demetrios offered five suggestions for developing dialogue among adherents of various religions, "namely Judaism, Christianity and Islam." He said dialogue participants must unlearn in order to learn; brace themselves for some levels of pain; seek first to understand; recognize the sanctity and power of language; and focus on truth. Before his Nov. 14 address, the archbishop received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Fairfield. The spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians, who is a leader in the ecumenical movement, also was celebrating his 40th anniversary in the episcopacy.

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