Reluctant Catholic Thoughts about the church and my faith.

Catholic-Muslim dialogue

Interesting story here from CNA on Catholic-Muslim dialogues that just started. This Time article, has a bit more detail on the talks; as does this USA Today article. Digging a little deeper, you can find the actual open letter that sparked the talks here along with a time-line summarizing events leading up to the talks. The open letter is worth reading. Hopefully, the talks will be fruitful for both sides.

Two quotes from the document:

Muslims thus appreciate the following words from the Second Vatican Council:

"The church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has also spoken to humanity. They endeavor to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet; his virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting. (Nostra Aetate, 28 October 1965)"

and

And equally the words of the late Pope John Paul II, for whom many Muslims had great regard and esteem:

"We Christians joyfully recognize the religious values we have in common with Islam. Today I would like to repeat what I said to young Muslims some years ago in Casablanca: 'We believe in the same God, the one God, the living God, the God who created the world and brings his creatures to their perfection' (Insegnamenti, VIII/2, [1985], p.497, quoted during a general audience on May 5, 1999)."