Interreligious dialogue: A solution for peace

Not a war of religion, but a war of peace. Interreligious dialogue as a solution for peace was one of the main topics pointed out and highlighted during the recent Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference XVI (MSPC) at Waterfront Insular Hotel, last October 19, 2017.

During the Press conference, Orlando Cardinal Quevedo of Cotabato, Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, Bishop Julius Tonelof Ipil, and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro City represented the various dioceses who spoke relentlessly about achieving peace.

“This Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral conference, is called pastoral, which means that in a human aspect, it affects the mission of the Church,” Quevedo said in a statement. He believes that as Church leaders, there is need for them to be involved for the society to live harmoniously. He added, “this pastoral concern of the church includes economics, political, cultural, religious, spiritual, and even war and extremism.”

The Cardinal stated that the Philippines is on the high-level of interfaith dialogue to achieve peace in the country. The “Bishops-Ulama (Christians and Mulims), protestant leaders, are highly participating,” Quevedo added. However, there is a move to reorganize the Bishops’-Ulama Conference, such as looking for younger and more active leaders in the field, specifically in the aspect of politics.

Going down to the grassroots level
Quevedo added that this interfaith dialogue is to be brought down to the grassroots. “The second level of interfaith dialogue–is in the grassroots. Imams and Ulama (Islamic leaders), Catholic and Protestant priests should be involved in the local level,” the Cardinal added.

Bishop Tonel said that they are to make the parishes as venues for peace, “this is a positive input highlighted during this MSPC conference, for we hope this could go down to the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs).”

Forming leaders in their readiness to engage
Tonel also added that the church is doing her best in forming leaders in their readiness to engage, “amidst the continuing biases. The question is how we form our leaders that they may be equipped. Therefore one aspect that we can look forward is the need for continuous formation of our leaders through the help of Silsilah (a dialogue movement in Zamboanga), an institute for Muslim and Christian dialogue for peace.”

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro City also agreed for this interfaith dialogue to go down to the lowest level of society. “In Cagayan de Oro, we have an interfaith forum, a forum for peace, harmony and solidarity. We are glad having representatives from Muslim community, Christian churches, now, I agree with Cardinal Quevedo. Let us bring this down to imam level to parish level,” Ledesma said.

Archbishop Valles of Davao also emphasized that there is need for the parishes to make inter-religious dialogue as a way to bring peace among our people and as a way to reach out our Muslim brothers and sisters who are victims of continuing biases against them.

The Church hopes that inter-religious dialogue would succeed if there is a continuing drive to achieve peace in all various communities, religious institutions and other humanitarian groups. (Sandi Fults)