Dialogue

The hottest issues hugging the headlines these days are about problems whose solutions would depend on effective dialogue. Two of these are the BBL and Ph-China controversy. Respected political analysts commented several times on the lack of creative dialogue.

Religious leaders are in the position to provide guidance on creative dialogue. The reason is because their religious faiths can provide the necessary motivations and approaches that arise from their common belief in God and humanity. The United Nations Organization has recognized this and has approved a Resolution for member States to set aside the first seven days of February annually as World Interfaith Harmony Week.

Social balance, harmony, unity, order and peace are moral values arising from faith that motivate people to come to dialogue. Respect, openness, humility and non-violence are necessary elements of effective approach. With these human and humane motivating factors and quality approach a good dialogue, however long and tedious, is the only way to resolve problems and controversies.

I have in the past made several friendly contacts with televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Bro. Mike Velarde, Bishop Eddie Villanueva, 2 high officials of Iglesia ni Cristo, Bishop Tendero of Philippine Conference of Evangelical Churches, Taoist and Buddhist monks in Manila and Davao, and Muslim Ulama. Of course the Mindanao sector of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and the Ulama League of the Philippines based in Mindanao are members of the Bishops-Ulama Conference which I co-founded with the late Dr. Mahid Mutilan in 29 November 1996.

In the past Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had once gathered all heads of Christian and Non-Christian churches for Christmas celebration. I was there with my priests among the 300 plus pastors and priests including religious women. This act of the mayor showed that Church and State collaboration through dialogue could be pursued further in the future both in the national, regional and local levels. Last February Mayor Duterte gave a welcome dinner to more than 300 delegates of the Mindanao Clergy Convention, a gesture that augurs well for possible collaborative efforts.