IRD 2020 & 2021 500th Year Christianization Anniversary

Last Saturday 7 December 2019 the Davao Archdiocese officially opened the start of a one-year preparation for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Christianization of the Philippines. How should we do this?

The CBCP in signing Year 2020 as one of the 9 years expected that interreligious dialogue (IRD) be the main activity of the year. Why? Because Christianization was carried through evengelization. And gradual Dialogue, according to Doctrine of the Faith Office, is “an authentic means of evangelization together with direct Proclamation” (Doctrine of the Faith, 2000). What then is IRD and how should it be carried out?

It should be noted that we are not starting from scratch. For more than 25 years a culture of interreligious dialogue has already started. The relative peace now reigning throughout Mindanao can be considered fruit of that culture.

So, to answer the question, what is IRD and how should one start, it might help to know who are these dialogue practitioners, and where can they be found.

They are the Silsilah Dialogue Movement and Peace Advocate of Zamboanga (PAZ), both in Zamboanga City. Initiatives for International Dialogues (IID), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Silsilah Davao Chapter of SDM, Bishops-Ulama Conference, Ateneo de Davao University Al Qualam Institute, The Focolare Movement, Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue (ACEID). These seven are in Davao City. Fr. Bert Leyson Peace Group in Pikit, Cotabato. Kusog Mindanao also in Cotabato. Interfaith Dialogue in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

They are ready to help.