Pope meets interreligious leaders, says dialogue discovers truth

Published: 2008-04-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI encouraged interreligious leaders to work not only for peace but for the discovery of truth. The pope told about 200 representatives of Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism gathered at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington April 17 "to persevere in their collaboration" to serve society and enrich public life. "I have noticed a growing interest among governments to sponsor programs intended to promote interreligious dialogue and intercultural dialogue. These are praiseworthy initiatives," Pope Benedict said. "At the same time, religious freedom, interreligious dialogue and faith-based education aim at something more than a consensus regarding ways to implement practical strategies for advancing peace. "The broader purpose of dialogue is to discover the truth," he said. In a ceremony in the two-story main lobby of the cultural center, Milwaukee Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, introduced the pope to the interreligious leaders, who wore traditional garments to identify their faiths. To the pope's right were the five symbols of peace presented to him at the end of the ceremony.

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