Encountering Islam Catholics and Muslims and the Challenges of Today

James Comninellis

Office of Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs

Archdiocese of St. Louis ©2016

Theological Foundations

Theological Foundations

“The Church regards with esteem also the

Moslems. They adore the one God, living and

subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-

powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,

who has spoken to men; they take pains to

submit wholeheartedly to even His

inscrutable decrees…”

Nostra Aetate 3

Theological Foundations

“The Church regards with esteem also the

Moslems. They adore the one God, living and

subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-

powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,

who has spoken to men; they take pains to

submit wholeheartedly to even His

inscrutable decrees…”

Nostra Aetate 3

Theological Foundations

“The Church regards with esteem also the

Moslems. They adore the one God, living and

subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-

powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,

who has spoken to men; they take pains to

submit wholeheartedly to even His

inscrutable decrees…”

Nostra Aetate 3

Theological Foundations

“The Church regards with esteem also the

Moslems. They adore the one God, living and

subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-

powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth,

who has spoken to men; they take pains to

submit wholeheartedly to even His

inscrutable decrees…”

Nostra Aetate 3

Theological Foundations

“But the plan of salvation also includes those

who acknowledge the Creator. In the first

place amongst these there are the Muslims,

who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham,

along with us adore the one and merciful

God, who on the last day will judge

mankind.”

Lumen Gentium 16

Theological Foundations

“But the plan of salvation also includes those

who acknowledge the Creator. In the first

place amongst these there are the Muslims,

who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham,

along with us adore the one and merciful

God, who on the last day will judge

mankind.”

Lumen Gentium 16

Theological Foundations

“But the plan of salvation also includes those

who acknowledge the Creator. In the first

place amongst these there are the Muslims,

who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham,

along with us adore the one and merciful

God, who on the last day will judge

mankind.”

Lumen Gentium 16

Theological Foundations

“Referring in particular to Muslims, the

Second Vatican Council exhorts both parties

to ‘forget the past’ and to ‘defend and

promote together social justice, moral

values, peace and liberty’”

Dialogue and Mission 32

Theological Foundations

“Referring in particular to Muslims, the

Second Vatican Council exhorts both parties

to ‘forget the past’ and to ‘defend and

promote together social justice, moral

values, peace and liberty’”

Dialogue and Mission 32

Theological Foundations

“Concretely, it will be in the sincere practice of what is good in their own religious

traditions and by following the dictates of their conscience that the members of other

religions respond positively to God's invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even

while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their savior.”

Dialogue and Proclamation 29

Theological Foundations

“Concretely, it will be in the sincere practiceof what is good in their own religious

traditions and by following the dictates of their conscience that the members of other

religions respond positively to God's invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even

while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their savior.”

Dialogue and Proclamation 29

Theological Foundations

“Concretely, it will be in the sincere practice of what is good in their own religious

traditions and by following the dictates of their conscience that the members of other

religions respond positively to God's invitationand receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even

while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their savior.”

Dialogue and Proclamation 29

International Catholic-Muslim Dialogue

Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims

Origin 1979

Chair – Card. Jean-Louis Tauran – Video on Interreligious

Peace & Prayer

Countries represented – France, Italy, Pakistan, Iraq,

Great Britain, Nigeria, USA, Germany

Meets yearly – Offers well wishes at the end of Ramadan

Pontifical Council for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue

Global Religious Population

Buddhists7%

Christians2,168,330,000

32%

Hindus15%

Jews0.2%

Muslims1,599,700,000

23%

Unaffiliated16%

Folk Religions6%

Other Religions1%

Pew-Templeton 2010

National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue

Dialogue Partners

US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

First National Dialogue Established in 2016

Keynote Addresses – 2012 Plenary

Midwest Catholic-Muslim Dialogue

USCCB & ISNA

First Regional Muslim-Catholic Dialogue –

1996

Topics Include:

Revelation: Catholic Muslim

Perspectives

Reflections on Nostra Aetate

Reflections on Poverty and Privilege

Among Catholics & Muslims

St. Louis Religious Landscape

St. Louis Catholic-Muslim Dialogue

Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis

St. Louis Catholic-Muslim DialogueOffice of Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs – Meeting Our Neighbors

Resources for Educators

USCCB Understanding Islam: A Guide for Catholic Educators

USCCB Papal Statements on Dialogue with Islam – 1964-2013

CAIR An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices

CAIR Explaining Ramadhan to People Belonging to Other Faiths

Islamic Speakers Bureau – St. Louis

Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis