CATHOLICS AND MUSLIMS: COLLOQUIUM IN TEHRAN, “RESPECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM”

The Colloquium was held in Tehran from 9 to 11 November 2010 under the joint presidency of Mohammad Baqer Khorramshad and Card. Jean-Louis Tauran, the presidents of the two organising institutions. As reported today by the Holy See Press Office, the outcome of the discussions on the theme “Religion and Society Today: Christian and Muslim Perspectives”, developed from the points of view of Catholics and Muslims, can be summed up in six points. First of all, participants have reaffirmed that “believers and religious communities, based on their faith in God, have a specific role to play in society, on an equal footing with other citizens”. Then, “religion has an inherent social dimension that the State has the obligation to respect; therefore, also in the interest of society, it cannot be confined to private sphere”.
The Colloquium also reaffirmed that believers, Muslims and Christians alike, are “called to cooperate in the search for common good, on the basis of a sound relation between faith and reason” and to “cooperate in answering modern challenges, promoting moral values, justice and peace and protecting the family, environment and natural resources”. In the six points, reference was also made to religious freedom, which “must always be respected by individuals, social actors and the State. The cultural and historical background of each society which is not in contradiction with human dignity should be taken into consideration in applying this fundamental principle”. The sixth point focuses on the education of the young generation that “should be based on the search for truth, spiritual values and promotion of knowledge”. The Proceedings of the Colloquia will be published both in English and in Farsi. The next Colloquium will take place in Rome in two years and will be preceded by a preparatory meeting.

© SIR - november, 16th 2010

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