The Papal representative in South Africa has praised the Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue organized by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) Department of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue, and Dialogue with the Secular World.
SACBC Communications – Pretoria
In a recent conversation with the SACBC Communication office, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński highlighted the importance of fostering understanding and mutual respect. He expressed gratitude to the SACBC Department of Ecumenism for organizing the event and emphasized the Catholic Church’s commitment to interreligious dialogue.
Unity of God and Unity in God
The Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa referenced Pope Francis’ 2019 Abu Dhabi declaration on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together in an interview. He stressed the significance of such dialogues in overcoming prejudices and learning from one another.
The recent Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue, themed ‘Unity of God and Unity in God,’ held at St John Vianney Major Seminary in Pretoria, brought together Bishop Jan de Groef, representatives from Christian and Muslim communities, including the Church of Scientology. Also present were Catholic institutions of higher learning, a representative from the Iranian Embassy, and members from the Monastic Interreligious Dialogue (DIM-MID).
Interreligious Dialogue Among Communities
Archbishop Jagodziński thanked the guest speakers, Fr. William Skudlarek and Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, for emphasizing the importance of interreligious dialogue among communities. He lamented the loss of sacred spaces in some societies, where churches are repurposed for secular uses, describing it as a painful and humiliating reality.
He urged Catholics and Christians to reflect on whether their actions align with God’s will or personal desires. Archbishop Jagodziński expressed hope for positive outcomes from the dialogue and gratitude for participating in such an event early in his mission to Southern Africa.
