ARTICLES

Interfaith dialogue recognizes human frailty

By Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian

In keeping with the Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo’s interest in promoting understanding and relations with people of other religions, those who have expressed an interest in working with Jewish and Muslim communities in their areas gathered at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on April 7.

One of the members, Dr. Jerry Carney, Professor of Religion at Hampden-Sydney College, gave a power point presentation on the Vatican document Nostra Aetate.

Insights regarding the document, which translated means “Our Time,” were presented from a theological, cultural and historical perspective.

Dr. Carney pointed out that in 1949, prior to Vatican II, the idea that there is no salvation outside the church was condemned by Cardinal Richard Cushing. However, the teaching that God’s grace touches all of humanity because God wants to save all was not widely taught.

Dr. Carney noted that when Nostra Aetate was approved and decreed on October 25, 1965, it seemed like an improbable document.

“Yet it serves as a pastoral baseline for Catholics in regard to non-Christian religions,” he said. “Catholic theology has always held that the human person has a built in capacity for God and the goal has been to bring people into life with God.

“In ‘Mystici Corporis Christi,’ Pope Pius XII wrote that there is an implicit desire, a certain unconscious yearning in every person and when this desire is animated by perfect charity and supernatural faith, salvation is possible,” he explained.

“We have every reason to be optimistic about the salvation of others and critically positive about their religions,” said Professor Carney.

“God, the Father of Jesus, does enter into the lives and hearts of every person and there is sufficient grace for them to be saved. The real encounter with God is rooted in society, culture and religion.”

Referencing the teachings of St. Bonaventure, Professor Carney pointed out that there is a Scripture of the world, a Scripture of the human heart and the Bible. Faith and reason interact with each other, just as grace and nature do.

“God reaches us in culture and things that people understand,” Dr. Carney said. “When faith takes the human heart beyond reason, it is regarded as a moment of conversion.”

Quoting Karl Rahner, he pointed out that religion is bound in history and human frailty.

“There is no perfect Catholicism as history reveals and although human history is an accumulation of ill will and stupidity, we are no match for God,” Dr. Carney said. “That explains why a sacrament can still be valid even when carried out by sinful priests and disasters such as the Holocaust happen among people of religion.”

Dr. Carney pointed out that according to Nostra Aetate, “The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy regarding other religions.

“It respects the faith of the practitioner and looks upon other religions that ‘often reflect the brightness of that Truth which is the light of all’ and that this does not detract from the faith in Christ.”

“That does not mean that the tension between missionary activity and the dialogue process has been totally resolved.

“But the Church, through dialogue and collaboration with followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love, witnesses to faith and love by living the Gospel of Christ.

“In other words, we want people of other religions to see Jesus in us,” he said.

Dr. Carney explained that the Church has special regard for the Jews.

“Jesus wasn’t a Christian, He was a Jew and God’s covenant with the Jews continues,” he said. “God can’t go back on his word. In Romans, Paul referred to the enduring covenant.”

“Because of the sacred patrimony that exists between the Christians and Jews, the Church wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect, which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies as well as fraternal dialogues.” (Nostra Aetate)

The document also states, “The Church regards with esteem Muslims. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself, merciful and all powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth.”

While recognizing hostilities of the past, the Church urges mutual respect and understanding as “it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham’s stock.”

The spirited discussion following Professor Carney’s emphasized the complexity of moving beyond past and present hurts that exists among the people of these three religions.

It was observed that culture and politics quickly become woven into the discussion. But the commitment of those gathered and the steps they are taking within their local communities to help build relations with people of the three religions is part of the larger process and brings it to a grassroots level.

All agreed that educating Catholics about the importance of relationship building is an important first step.

Other initiatives that have been implemented included panel discussions, a parish Seder meal led by a local rabbi, book discussion groups, some with other people of other religions and some with Catholics about interreligious dialogue.

Others hope to initiate joint outreach projects with parish youth and youth of other religions.

One campus ministry is highlighting respect for religious diversity and has planned shared meals and discussions with Jews and Muslim students.

Working together to help the homeless and screening of appropriate films followed by discussions were among other projects that were reported.

Guest speakers on the importance of Catholic dialogue with other religions and inviting a rabbi or a Muslim as a guest speaker are among other initiatives being done on a parish level.

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