HVK Archives: Frustration surfaces at inter religious affairs institute
Frustration surfaces at inter religious affairs institute - Indian Currents
UCAN
()
September 21-27, 1998
Title: Frustration surfaces at inter religious affairs institute
Author: UCAN
Publication: Indian Currents
Date: September 21-27, 1998
Several participants at an FABC-sponsored seminar here on
interreligious dialogue say they are confused by the Church's
claim to uniquely possess the full truth alongside its openness
to dialogue.
More than 70 bishops, priests, Religious and laity are attending
the First Formation Institute for Interreligious Affairs (FIRA
I) being held here in southern peninsular Malaysia from Sept. 6-
14. For Sister Doreen from Singapore, the historical review of
the Church teaching on dialogue by Indian Jesuit Father
Sebastian Painadath left her hopeful because, she said, "we are
now so open regarding the other religions." Using the analogy of
relations between the sexes, Father Painadath said that clashes
are more likely in interreligious dialogue between two prophetic
traditions than between a prophetic and a mystical tradition,
just as two males are more likely to clash than a male and a
female. He also described different levels of religious
reflection, starting with that of the mind and logical
understanding. Beyond this, he said, is the level of the psyche,
which uses myths, stories and epics as its language.
However, the Christian duty to proclaim salvation confused her,
since in the end "Jesus Christ remains the only source of
salvation," she said. "How do you bring that kind of news to the
dialogue table?" she asked.
A Malaysian laywoman who requested to not be named said that
looking at the various documents of Pope John Paul II, she sees
that the pope "says one thing to adherents of other religions,
which is unitive of religions, and then says something else to
us Christians. "This is confusing, like a parent telling a
child, 'Do what I say and not what I do,"' she said. "Doesn't
he know that adherents of both religions end up knowing the
contents of his contradictory texts anyway?"
Annabelle, another Malaysian, said that "the pope has double
standards." The Church's continued insistence on the supremacy
of Christ shows that its claims of learning from other religions
are only words, she said. "I am actually irritated that the
Church hasn't changed," the laywoman said.
Julius, a layman from Manila, also agreed that instead of
clarifying dialogue for Catholics, Vatican declarations end up
confusing them. "Pronouncements should be universal; one
pronouncement for all. As it is, the Church teachings on
interreligious dialogue are very confusing, and that makes
dialogue practically impossible." he noted.
For Sister Meg from Thailand, hearing in a presentation that the
same Spirit leads all people along the same journey to the same
ultimate happiness with God, though on different paths, "was
heartening news," especially after years of grassroots work
mainly with women of the Buddhist tradition. On the other hand,
she said that it was disturbing to be reminded that as late as
1995, Pope John Paul said that all salvation comes through
Christ. She said with the pope's "no salvation without the
Church and through Christ" claim, "it seems we go back to what
was proclaimed centuries ago."
Sister Euphemia from India, though, responded positively, saying
that ultimately the Lord takes the initiative in I efforts at
dialogue. "It is with the heart that one sees rightly," she
said, adding that if only the head is used, conflicts would be
inevitable.
Auxiliary Bishop John Ha Tiong Hock of Kuching said that he is
"quite moved by the fact that the Church is moving. It is
prepared to look back, and at the present time, prepared to
change. This is very encouraging." The native East Malaysian
bishop added that it would be "interesting to see where the
Church will ultimately lead us. I wonder if we will be prepared
to move along." Some 70 participants from Bangladesh, India,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Australia are attending FIFA I, which is sponsored
by the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences) Office of
Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.
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