Melkite prelate calls for respect, dialogue among Christians, Muslims

Published: 2007-12-19

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- The Melkite Catholic patriarch called for dialogue between Christians and Muslims and for Christians to be able to practice their faith freely in the Arab world. "Our Muslim world is afraid of our preaching, but does not cease preaching Islam. That is an unreasonable position," said Melkite Patriarch Gregoire III Laham of Damascus, Syria, in his annual Christmas message. "We ask our Muslim fellow citizens to acknowledge our freedom to bring the good news to others, with love and respect for their faith, but we do not ask anyone else (Muslims in particular) to embrace our faith. Conversion is the work of God," Patriarch Laham said. He said the Second Vatican Council "gave us the golden rule for religious dialogue, by showing us the importance of discovering the good things ... of others." The prelate acknowledged "the many beautiful relationships between Christians and Muslims that occur especially in everyday living."

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