Pope replies to Muslims’ letter seeking dialogue
Catholic News Agency is reporting that the pope takes major step to open dialogue with Muslims. From the article:
Dialogue between Muslims and Catholics entered a new phase today as Pope Benedict replied to the October 13 letter from the 138 Muslims leaders and proposed that the dialogue be centered on human dignity and religious freedom.
The Pope’s reply to the Muslim initiative, “A Common Word between Us and You”, was sent to Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal, president of the Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought and one of the signatories of the original letter. According to the Holy See Press Office, the letter was written by Benedict XVI and signed by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
The interesting twist in the Pope’s proposal for dialogue is that he has insisted on changing the context of the talks. While the Muslim leaders’ letter framed future dialogue around the twofold commandment to love God and one’s neighbor, Benedict XVI’s reply suggests a change in the terms of discussion.
