Dialogue and Proclamation (PONTIFICAL COUNCIL For INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE)

12/8/2016 DIALOGUEANDPROCLAMATION:
PONTIFICALCOUNCILFORINTERRELIGIOUSDIALOGUE
DIALOGUEANDPROCLAMATION
ReflectionAndOrientationsOnInterreligiousDialogue
AndTheProclamationOfTheGospelOfJesusChrist(1)
INTRODUCTION
1.25yearsafter"NostraAetate"
Itis25yearssince"NostraAetate",thedeclarationoftheSecondVaticanCouncilonthe
Church'srelationshiptootherreligions,waspromulgated.Thedocumentstressedthe
importanceofinterreligiousdialogue.Atthesametime,itrecalledthattheChurchisinduty
boundtoproclaimwithoutfailChrist,theWay,theTruth,andtheLife,inwhomallpeople
findtheirfulfillment(cf.NA2).
2.Dialogueandmission
Tofostertheworkofdialogue,PopePaulVIsetupin1964theSecretariatforNonChristians,
recentlyrenamedthePontificalCouncilforInterreligiousDialogue.FollowingitsPlenary
Assemblyof1984,theSecretariatissuedadocumententitled"TheAttitudeoftheChurch
TowardstheFollowersofOtherReligions:ReflectionsandOrientationsonDialogueand
Mission."ThisdocumentstatesthattheevangelizingmissionoftheChurchisa"singlebut
complexandarticulatedreality."Itindicatestheprincipalelementsofthismission:presence
andwitnesscommitmenttosocialdevelopmentandhumanliberationliturgicallife,prayer
andcontemplationinterreligiousdialogueandfinally,proclamationandcatechesis(2).
Proclamationanddialoguearethusbothviewed,eachinitsownplace,ascomponentelements
andauthenticformsoftheoneevangelizingmissionoftheChurch.Theyarebothoriented
towardsthecommunicationofsalvifictruth.
3.Dialogueandproclamation
Thepresentdocumentgivesfurtherconsiderationtothesetwoelements.Itfirstputsforward
thecharacteristicsofeach,andthenstudiestheirmutualrelationship.Ifdialogueistreated
first,thisisnotbecauseithasanypriorityoverproclamation.Itissimplyduetothefactthat
dialogueistheprimaryconcernofthePontificalCouncilforInterreligiousDialoguewhich
initiatedthepreparationofthedocument.Thedocumentinfactwasfirstdiscussedduringthe
PlenaryAssemblyoftheSecretariatin1987.Theobservationsmadethen,togetherwith
furtherconsultation,havelettothistext,whichwasfinalizedandadoptedatthePlenary
AssemblyofthePontificalCouncilforInterreligiousDialogueandtheCongregationforthe
EvangelizationofPeoples.Bothdicasteriesareofferingthesereflectionstotheuniversal
Church.
4.Currentaffairs
Amongthereasonswhichmaketherelationshipbetweendialogueandproclamationarelevant
themeforstudy,thefollowingmaybementioned:
a)Intheworldoftoday,characterizedbyrapidcommunications,mobilityofpeoples,and
interdependence,thereisanewawarenessofthefactofreligiousplurality.Religionsdonot
merelyexist,orsimplysurvive.Insomecases,theygiveclearevidenceofarevival.They
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_19051991_dialogueandproclamatio_en.html 1/22
continuetoinspireandinfluencethelivesofmillionsoftheiradherents.Inthepresentcontext
ofreligiousplurality,theimportantroleplayedbyreligioustraditionscannotbeoverlooked.
b)InterreligiousdialoguebetweenChristiansandfollowersofotherreligioustraditions,as
envisagedbytheSecondVaticanCouncil,isonlygraduallycomingtobeunderstood.Its
practiceremainshesitantinsomeplaces.Thesituationdiffersfromcountrytocountry.Itcan
dependonthesizeoftheChristiancommunity,onwhichotherreligioustraditionsarepresent,
andonvariousothercultural,socialandpoliticalfactors.Afurtherexaminationofthe
questionmayhelptostimulatedialogue.
c)Thepracticeofdialogueraisesproblemsinthemindsofmany.Therearethosewhowould
seemtothink,erroneously,thatintheChurch'smissiontodaydialogueshouldsimplyreplace
proclamation.Attheotherextreme,somefailtoseethevalueofinterreligiousdialogue.Yet
othersareperplexedandask:ifinterreligiousdialoguehasbecomesoimportant,hasthe
proclamationoftheGospelmessagelostitsurgency?Hastheefforttobringpeopleintothe
communityoftheChurchbecomesecondaryorevensuperfluous?Thereisaneedtherefore
fordoctrinalandpastoralguidancetowhichthisdocumentwishestocontribute,without
pretendingtoanswerfullythemanyandcomplexquestionswhichariseinthisconnection.
Asthistextwasinitsfinalstagesofpreparationforpublication,theHolyFather,PopeJohn
PaulII,offeredtotheChurchhisEncyclicalRedemptorisMissioinwhichheaddressedthese
questionsandmanymore.Thepresentdocumentspellsoutingreaterdetailtheteachingofthe
Encyclicalondialogueanditsrelationshiptoproclamation(cf.RM5557).Itisthereforetobe
readinthelightofthisEncyclical.
5.TheDayofPrayerforPeaceinAssisi
TheWorldDayofPrayerforPeaceinAssisi,on27October1986,heldattheinitiativeof
PopeJohnPaulII,providesanotherstimulusforreflection.Bothonthedayitselfandafter,
especiallyinhisaddresstotheCardinalsandtotheRomanCuriainDecember,1986,theHoly
FatherexplainedthemeaningoftheAssisicelebration.Heunderlinedthefundamentalunityof
thehumanrace,initsoriginanditsdestiny,andtheroleoftheChurchasaneffectivesignof
thisunity.Hebroughtoutforciblythesignificanceofinterreligiousdialogue,whileatthesame
timereaffirmingtheChurch'sdutytoannounceJesusChristtotheworld(3).
6.TheencouragementofJohnPaulII
Thefollowingyear,inhisaddresstothemembersofthePlenaryAssemblyofthePontifical
CouncilforInterreligiousDialogue,PopeJohnPaulIIdeclared:"Justasinterreligious
dialogueisoneelementinthemissionoftheChurch,theproclamationofGod'ssavingwork
inOurLordJesusChristisanother...Therecanbenoquestionofchoosingoneandignoringor
rejectingtheother."(4)TheleadgivenbythePopeencouragesustogivefurtherattentionto
thepresenttheme.
7.Furtherstimulitotackletheissue
ThisdocumentisaddressedtoallCatholics,particularlytoallwhohavealeadershiprolein
thecommunityorareengagedinformationwork.Itisofferedaswellfortheconsiderationof
ChristiansbelongingtootherChurchesorEcclesialCommunitieswhothemselveshavebeen
reflectingonthequestionsitraises(5).Itishopedthatitwillreceiveattentionalsofromthe
followersofotherreligioustraditions.
Beforeproceedingitwillbeusefultoclarifythetermsbeingusedinthisdocument.
8.Evangelization
Evangelizingmission,ormoresimplyevangelization,referstothemissionoftheChurchinits
totality.IntheApostolicExhortationEvangeliiNuntiandithetermevangelizationistakenin
differentways.Itmeans"tobringtheGoodNewsintoallareasofhumanity,andthroughits
impact,totransformthathumanityfromwithin,makingitnew"(EN18).Thus,through
evangelizationtheChurch"seekstoconvertsolelythroughthedivinepoweroftheMessage
sheproclaims,boththepersonalandcollectiveconsciencesofpeople,theactivitiesinwhich
theyengage,theirwaysoflife,andtheactualmilieuxinwhichtheylive"(EN18).TheChurch
accomplishesherevangelizingmissionthroughavarietyofactivities.Hencethereisabroad
conceptofevangelization.Yetinthesamedocument,evangelizationisalsotakenmore
specificallytomean"theclearandunambiguousproclamationoftheLordJesus"(EN22).The
Exhortationstatesthat"thisproclamationkerygma,preachingorcatechesisoccupiessuch
animportantplaceinevangelizationthatithasoftenbecomesynonymouswithitandyetitis
onlyoneaspectofevangelization"(EN22).Inthisdocumentthetermevangelizingmissionis
usedforevangelizationinitsbroadsense,whilethemorespecificunderstandingisexpressed
bythetermproclamation.
9.Dialogue
Dialoguecanbeunderstoodindifferentways.Firstly,atthepurelyhumanlevel,itmeans
reciprocalcommunication,leadingtoacommongoalor,atadeeperlevel,tointerpersonal
communion.Secondly,dialoguecanbetakenasanattitudeofrespectandfriendship,which
permeatesorshouldpermeateallthoseactivitiesconstitutingtheevangelizingmissionofthe
Church.Thiscanappropriatelybecalled"thespiritofdialogue".Thirdly,inthecontextof
religiousplurality,dialoguemeans"allpositiveandconstructiveinterreligiousrelationswith
individualsandcommunitiesofotherfaithswhicharedirectedatmutualunderstandingand
enrichment"(6),inobediencetotruthandrespectforfreedom.Itincludesbothwitnessandthe
explorationofrespectivereligiousconvictions.Itisinthisthirdsensethatthepresent
documentusesthetermdialogueforoneoftheintegralelementsoftheChurch'sevangelizing
mission.
10.Proclamation
ProclamationisthecommunicationoftheGospelmessage,themysteryofsalvationrealized
byGodforallinJesusChristbythepoweroftheSpirit.Itisaninvitationtoacommitmentof
faithinJesusChristandtoentrythroughbaptismintothecommunityofbelieverswhichisthe
Church.Thisproclamationcanbesolemnandpublic,asforinstanceonthedayofPentecost
(cf.Ac2:541),orasimpleprivateconversation(cf.Ac8:3038).Itleadsnaturallyto
catechesiswhichaimsatdeepeningthisfaith.Proclamationisthefoundation,centre,and
summitofevangelization(cf.EN27).
11.Conversion
Includedintheideaofconversion,thereisalwaysageneralmovementtowardsGod,"the
humbleandpenitentreturnofthehearttoGodinthedesiretosubmitone'slifemore
generouslytohim"(7).Morespecifically,conversionmayrefertoachangeofreligious
adherence,andparticularlytoembracingtheChristianfaith.Whenthetermconversionisused
inthisdocument,thecontextwillshowwhichsenseisintended.
12.Religionsandreligioustraditions
Thetermsreligionsorreligioustraditionsareusedhereinagenericandanalogicalsense.
Theycoverthosereligionswhich,withChristianity,arewonttoreferbacktothefaithof
Abraham(8),aswellasthereligioustraditionsofAsia,Africaandelsewhere.
13.Newreligiousmovements
Interreligiousdialogueoughttoextendtoallreligionsandtheirfollowers.Thisdocument,
however,willnottreatofdialoguewiththefollowersof"NewReligiousMovements"dueto
thediversityofsituationswhichthesemovementspresentandtheneedfordiscernmentonthe
humanandreligiousvalueswhicheachcontains(9).
1.INTERRELIGIOUSDIALOGUE
1.ACHRISTIANAPPROACHTORELIGIOUSTRADITIONS
14.Positiveevaluationofreligioustraditions
Ajustappraisalofotherreligioustraditionsnormallypresupposesclosecontactwiththem.
Thisimplies,besidestheoreticalknowledge,practicalexperienceofinterreligiousdialogue
withthefollowersofthesetraditions.Nevertheless,itisalsotruethatacorrecttheological
evaluationofthesetraditions,atleastingeneralterms,isanecessarypresuppositionfor
interreligiousdialogue.Thesetraditionsaretobeapproachedwithgreatsensitivity,onaccount
ofthespiritualandhumanvaluesenshrinedinthem.Theycommandourrespectbecauseover
thecenturiestheyhavebornewitnesstotheeffortstofindanswers"tothoseprofound
mysteriesofthehumancondition"(NA1)andhavegivenexpressiontothereligious
experienceandtheycontinuetodosotoday.
15.OrientationsofVaticanII
TheSecondVaticanCouncilhasgiventheleadforsuchapositiveassessment.Theexact
meaningofwhattheCouncilaffirmsneedstobecarefullyandaccuratelyascertained.The
CouncilreaffirmsthetraditionaldoctrineaccordingtowhichsalvationinJesusChristis,ina
mysteriousway,arealityopentoallpersonsofgoodwill.Aclearenunciationofthisbasic
convictioninVaticanIIisfoundintheConstitutionGaudiumetSpes.TheCouncilteachesthat
Christ,theNewAdam,throughthemysteryofhisincarnation,deathandresurrection,isat
workineachhumanpersontobringaboutinteriorrenewal.
"ThisholdtruenotforChristiansonlybutalsoforallpersonsofgoodwillinwhosehearts
graceisactiveinvisibly.ForsinceChristdiedforall,andsinceallareinfactcalledtooneand
thesamedestiny,whichisdivine,wemustholdthattheHolySpiritofferstoallthepossibility
ofbeingmadepartners,inawayknowntoGod,inthePaschalmystery"(GS22).
16.TheeffectsofdivineGrace
TheCouncilproceedsfurther.Makingitsownthevisionandtheterminologyofsomeearly
ChurchFathers,NostraAetatespeaksofthepresenceinthesetraditionsof"arayofthatTruth
whichenlightensall"(NA2).AdGentesrecognizesthepresenceof"seedsoftheword",and
pointsto"thericheswhichagenerousGodhasdistributedamongthenations"(AG11).
Again,LumenGentiumreferstothegoodwhichis"foundsown"notonly"inmindsand
hearts",butalso"intheritesandcustomsofpeoples"(LG17).
17.TheactionoftheHolySpirit
ThesefewreferencessufficetoshowthattheCouncilhasopenlyacknowledgedthepresence
ofpositivevaluesnotonlyinthereligiouslifeofindividualbelieversofotherreligious
traditions,butalsointhereligioustraditionstowhichtheybelong.Itattributedthesevaluesto
theactivepresenceofGodthroughhisWord,pointingalsototheuniversalactionoftheSpirit:
"Withoutdoubt,"AdGentesaffirms,"theHolySpiritwasatworkintheworldbeforeChrist
wasglorified"(No.4).Fromthisitcanbeseenthattheseelements,asapreparationforthe
Gospel(cf.LG16),haveplayedanddostillplayaprovidentialroleinthedivineeconomyof
salvation.ThisrecognitionimpelstheChurchtoenterinto"dialogueandcollaboration"(NA
2cf.GS9293):"LetChristians,whilewitnessingtotheirownfaithandwayoflife,
acknowledge,preserveandencouragethespiritualandmoralgoodfoundamongnon
Christians,aswellastheirsocialandculturalvalues"(NA2).
18.TheroleoftheChurch'sactivity
TheCouncilisnotunawareofthenecessityofthemissionaryactivityoftheChurchinorder
toperfectinChristtheseelementsfoundinotherreligions.TheCouncilstatesveryclearly:
"Whatevertruthandgracearetobefoundamongthenations,asasortofsecretpresenceof
God,thisactivityfreesfromalltaintofevilandrestorestoChristitsMaker,whooverthrows
thedevil'sdomainandwardsoffthemanifoldmaliceofvice.Andso,whatevergoodisfound
tobesownintheheartsandmindsofmen,orintheritesandculturespeculiartovarious
peoples,isnotlost.Morethanthat,itishealed,ennobled,andperfectedforthegloryofGod,
thesameofthedemon,andtheblissofmen"(AG9).
19.ThehistoryofGod'ssalvificaction
TheOldTestamenttestifiesthatfromthebeginningofcreationGodmadeaCovenantwithall
peoples(Gn1:11).Thisshowsthatthereisbutonehistoryofsalvationforthewholeof
humankind.TheCovenantwithNoah,themanwho"walkedwithGod"(Gn6:9),issymbolic
ofthedivineinterventioninthehistoryofthenations.NonIsraelitefiguresoftheOld
TestamentareseenintheNewTestamentasbelongingtothishistoryofsalvation.Abel,
EnochandNoahareproposedasmodelsoffaith(cf.Heb11:47).Itisthishistoryofsalvation
whichseesitsfinalfulfillmentinJesusChristinwhomisestablishedthenewanddefinitive
Covenantforallpeoples.
20.BeyondtheconfinesoftheChosenPeople
ThereligiousconsciousnessofIsraelischaracterizedbyadeepawarenessofitsuniquestatus
asGod'sChosenPeople.Thiselection,accompaniedbyaprocessofformationandcontinuous
exhortationstopreservethepurityofmonotheism,constitutesamission.Theprophets
continuallyinsistonloyaltyandfidelitytotheOneTrueGodandspeakaboutthepromised
Messiah.Andyettheseprophets,particularlyatthetimeoftheExile,bringauniversal
perspective,forGod'ssalvationisunderstoodtoextendbeyondandthroughIsraeltothe
nations.ThusIsaiahforetellsthatinthefinaldaysthenationswillstreamtothehouseofthe
Lord,andtheywillsay:"Come,letusgouptothemountainoftheLord,tothehouseofthe
GodofJacobthathemayteachushiswaysandthatwemaywalkinhispaths"(Is52:10).In
theWisdomliteraturealso,whichbearswitnesstoculturalexchangesbetweenIsraelandits
neighbours,theactionofGodinthewholeuniverseisclearlyaffirmed.Itgoesbeyondthe
boundariesoftheChosenPeopletotouchboththehistoryofnationsandthelivesof
individuals.
21.TheuniversalmissionofJesus
TurningtotheNewTestament,weseethatJesusprofessestohavecometogatherthelost
sheepofIsrael(cf.Mt15:24)andforbidshisdisciplesforthemomenttoturntotheGentiles
(cf.Mt10:5).Heneverthelessdisplaysanopenattitudetowardsmenandwomenwhodonot
belongtothechosenpeopleofIsrael.Heentersintodialoguewiththemandrecognizesthe
goodthatisinthem.Hemarvelsatthecenturion'sreadinesstobelieve,sayingthathehas
foundnosuchfaithinIsrael(cf.Mt8:513).Heperformsmiraclesofhealingfor"foreigners"
(cf.Mk7:2430Mt15:2128),andthesemiraclesaresignsofthecomingoftheKingdom.He
converseswiththeSamaritanwomanandspeakstoherofatimewhenworshipwillnotbe
restrictedtoanyoneparticularplace,butwhentrueworshipperswill"worshiptheFatherin
spiritandtruth"(Jn4:23).Jesusisthusopeningupanewhorizon,beyondthepurelylocal,to
auniversalitywhichisbothChristologicalandPneumatologicalincharacter.Forthenew
sanctuaryisnowthebodyoftheLordJesus(cf.Jn2:21)whomtheFatherhasraisedupinthe
poweroftheSpirit.
22.TheannouncementoftheKingdomofGod
Jesus'message,then,provedbythewitnessofhislife,isthatinhisownpersontheKingdom
ofGodisbreakingthroughtotheworld.Atthebeginningofhispublicministry,inGalileeof
thenations,hecansay:"Thetimehascome,andtheKingdomofGodiscloseathand."He
alsoindicatestheconditionsforentryintothisKingdom:"RepentandbelievetheGoodNews"
(Mk1:15).Thismessageisnotconfinedonlytothosewhobelongtothespeciallychosen
people.JesusinfactexplicitlyannouncestheentryoftheGentilesintotheKingdomofGod
(cf.Mt8:1011Mt11:2024Mt25:3132,34),aKingdomwhichistobeunderstoodasbeing
atoneandthesametimehistoricalandeschatological.ItisboththeFather'sKingdom,forthe
comingofwhichitisnecessarytopray(cf.Mt6:10),andJesus'Kingdom,sinceJesusopenly
declareshimselftobeking(cf.Jn18:3337).InfactinJesusChrist,theSonofGodmade
man,wehavethefullnessofrevelationandsalvationandthefulfillmentofthedesiresofthe
nations.
23.Thecallingofallpeoples
ReferencesintheNewTestamenttothereligiouslifeoftheGentilesandtotheirreligious
traditionsmayappeartobecontrasting,butcanbeseenascomplementary.Thereis,onthe
onehand,thenegativeverdictoftheLettertotheRomansagainstthosewhohavefailedto
recognizeGodinhiscreationandhavefallenintoidolatryanddepravity(cf.Rm1:1832).On
theotherhand,theActstestifytoPaul'spositiveandopenattitudetowardstheGentiles,both
inhisdiscoursetotheLycaonians(cf.Ac14:818)andinhisAreopagusspeechatAthens,in
whichhepraisedtheirreligiousspiritandannouncedtothemtheonewhomunknowinglythey
reveredasthe"unknownGod"(cf.Ac17:2234).NormustitbeforgottenthattheWisdom
traditionisappliedintheNewTestamenttoJesusChristastheWisdomofGod,theWordof
Godthatenlightenseveryman(cf.Jn1:9)andwhoinhisIncarnationpitcheshistentamong
us(cf.Jn1:14).
24.TheFathersofthefirstcenturies
ThepostBiblicaltraditionalsocontainscontrastingdata.Negativejudgementsonthe
religiousworldoftheirtimecaneasilybegleanedfromthewritingsoftheFathers.Yetthe
earlytraditionshowsaremarkableopenness.AnumberofChurchFatherstakeupthe
sapientialtraditionreflectedintheNewTestament.Inparticular,writersofthesecondcentury
andthefirstpartofthethirdcenturysuchasJustin,IranaeusandClementofAlexandria,either
explicitlyorinanequivalentway,speakaboutthe"seeds"sownbytheWordofGodinthe
nations(10).Thusitcanbesaidthatforthem,priortoandoutsidetheChristiandispensation,
Godhasalready,inanincompleteway,manifestedhimself.ThismanifestationoftheLogosis
anadumbrationofthefullrevelationinJesusChristtowhichitpoints.
25.Thetheologyofhistory
Infact,theseearlyFathersofferwhatmaybecalledatheologyofhistory.Historybecomes
salvationhistory,inasmuchasthroughitGodprogressivelymanifestshimselfand
communicateswithhumankind.Thisprocessofdivinemanifestationandcommunication
reachesitsclimaxintheincarnationoftheSonofGodinJesusChrist.Forthisreason,
Irenaeusdistinguishesfour"covenants"givenbyGodtothehumanrace:inAdam,inNoah,in
Moses,andinJesusChrist(11).Thesamepatristiccurrent,whoseimportanceisnottobe
underestimated,maybesaidtoculminateinAugustinewhoinhislaterworksstressedthe
universalpresenceandinfluenceofthemysteryofChristevenbeforetheIncarnation.In
fulfillmentofhisplanofsalvation,God,inhisSon,hasreachedouttothewholeof
humankind.Thus,inacertainsense,Christianityalreadyexists"atthebeginningofthehuman
race"(12).
26.ThecontributionoftheMagisterium
ItwastothisearlyChristianvisionofhistorythattheSecondVaticanCouncilmadereference.
AftertheCouncil,theChurch'sMagisterium,especiallythatofPopeJohnPaulII,has
proceededfurtherinthesamedirection.FirstthePopegivesexplicitrecognitiontothe
operativepresenceoftheHolySpiritinthelifeofthemembersofotherreligioustraditions,as
wheninRedemptorHominishespeaksoftheir"firmbelief"asbeing"aneffectoftheSpiritof
truthoperatingoutsidethevisibleconfinesoftheMysticalBody"(No.6).InDominumet
Vivificantem,hetakesafurtherstep,affirmingtheuniversalactionoftheHolySpiritinthe
worldbeforetheChristiandispensation,towhichitwasordained,andreferringtothe
universalactionofthesameSpirittoday,evenoutsidethevisiblebodyoftheChurch(cf.No.
53).
27.JohnPaulIIandtheapproachtootherreligioustraditions
InhisaddresstotheRomanCuriaaftertheWorldDayofPrayerforPeaceinAssisi,PopeJohn
PaulIIstressedoncemoretheuniversalpresenceoftheHolySpirit,statingthat"every
authenticprayeriscalledforthbytheHolySpirit,whoismysteriouslypresentintheheartof
everyperson,"Christianorotherwise.Butagain,inthesamediscourse,thePope,going
beyondanindividualperspective,articulatedthemainelementswhichtogethercanbeseenas
constitutingthetheologicalbasisforapositiveapproachtootherreligioustraditionsandthe
practiceofinterreligiousdialogue.
28.Themysteryoftheunityofallmankind
Firstcomesthefactthatthewholeofhumankindformsonefamily,duetothecommonorigin
ofallmenandwomen,createdbyGodinhisownimage.Correspondingly,allarecalledtoa
commondestiny,thefullnessoflifeinGod.Moreover,thereisbutoneplanofsalvationfor
humankind,withitscentreinJesusChrist,whoinhisincarnation"hasunitedhimselfina
certainmannertoeveryperson"(RH13cf.GS22.2).Finally,thereneedstobementionedthe
activepresenceoftheHolySpiritinthereligiouslifeofthemembersoftheotherreligious
traditions.FromallthisthePopeconcludestoa"mysteryofunity"whichwasmanifested
clearlyatAssisi,"inspiteofthedifferencesbetweenreligiousprofessions."(13)
29.Theunityofsalvation
Fromthismysteryofunityitfollowsthatallmenandwomenwhoaresavedshare,though
differently,inthesamemysteryofsalvationinJesusChristthroughhisSpirit.Christiansknow
thisthroughtheirfaith,whileothersremainunawarethatJesusChrististhesourceoftheir
salvation.Themysteryofsalvationreachesouttothem,inawayknowntoGod,throughthe
invisibleactionoftheSpiritofChrist.Concretely,itwillbeinthesincerepracticeofwhatis
goodintheirownreligioustraditionsandbyfollowingthedictatesoftheirconsciencethatthe
membersofotherreligionsrespondpositivelytoGod'sinvitationandreceivesalvationin
JesusChrist,evenwhiletheydonotrecognizeoracknowledgehimastheirsaviour(cf.AG
3,9,11).
30.Theneedfordiscernment
ThefruitsoftheSpiritofGodinthepersonallifeofindividuals,whetherChristianor
otherwise,areeasilydiscernible(cf.Ga5:2223).Toidentifyinotherreligioustraditions
elementsofgracecapableofsustainingthepositiveresponseoftheirmemberstoGod's
invitationismuchmoredifficult.Itrequiresadiscernmentforwhichcriteriahavetobe
established.SincereindividualsmarkedbytheSpiritofGodhavecertainlyputtheirimprint
ontheelaborationandthedevelopmentoftheirrespectivereligioustraditions.Itdoesnot
follow,however,thateverythinginthemisgood.
31.Valuesandcontradictions
Tosaythattheotherreligioustraditionsincludeelementsofgracedoesnotimplythat
everythinginthemistheresultofgrace.Forsinhasbeenatworkintheworld,andso
religioustraditions,notwithstandingtheirpositivevalues,reflectthelimitationsofthehuman
spirit,sometimesinclinedtochooseevil.Anopenandpositiveapproachtootherreligious
traditionscannotoverlookthecontradictionswhichmayexistbetweenthemandChristian
revelation.Itmust,wherenecessary,recognizethatthereisincompatibilitybetweensome
fundamentalelementsoftheChristianreligionandsomeaspectsofsuchtraditions.
32.Dialogueandpurification
Thismeansthat,whileenteringwithanopenmindintodialoguewiththefollowersofother
religioustraditions,Christiansmayhavealsotochallengetheminapeacefulspiritwithregard
tothecontentoftheirbelief.ButChristianstoomustallowthemselvestobequestioned.
NotwithstandingthefullnessofGod'srevelationinJesusChrist,thewayChristianssometimes
understandtheirreligionandpractiseitmaybeinneedofpurification.
2.THEPLACEOFINTERRELIGIOUSDIALOGUEINTHEEVANGELIZING
MISSIONOFTHECHURCH
33.TheChurch,universalsacramentofsalvation
TheChurchhasbeenwilledbyGodandinstitutedbyChristtobe,inthefullnessoftime,the
signandinstrumentofthedivineplanofsalvation(cf.LG1),thecentreofwhichisthe
mysteryofChrist.Sheisthe"universalsacramentofsalvation"(LG48),andis"necessaryfor
salvation"(LG14).TheLordJesushimselfinauguratedhermission"bypreachingthegood
news,thatis,thecomingofGod'sKingdom"(LG5).
34.SeedandbeginningoftheKingdom
TherelationshipbetweentheChurchandtheKingdomismysteriousandcomplex.AsVatican
IIteaches,"principallytheKingdomisrevealedinthepersonofChristhimself."Yetthe
Church,whichhasreceivedfromtheLordJesusthemissionofproclaimingtheKingdom"is,
onearth,theseedandthebeginningofthatKingdom."AtthesametimetheChurch"slowly
growstomaturity(and)longsforthecompletedKingdom"(LG5).Thus"theKingdomis
inseparablefromtheChurch,becausebothareinseparablefromthepersonandworkofJesus
himself...ItisthereforenotpossibletoseparatetheChurchfromtheKingdomasifthefirst
belongedexclusivelytotheimperfectrealmofhistory,whilethesecondwouldbetheperfect
eschatologicalfulfillmentofthedivineplanofsalvation"(14).
35.ReligioustraditionsandtheChurch
TotheChurch,asthesacramentinwhichtheKingdomofGodispresent"inmystery",are
relatedororiented(ordinantur)(cf.LG16)themembersofotherreligioustraditionswho,
inasmuchastheyrespondtoGod'scallingasperceivedbytheirconscience,aresavedinJesus
ChristandthusalreadyshareinsomewayintherealitywhichissignifiedbytheKingdom.
TheChurch'smissionistofoster"theKingdomofourLordandhisChrist"(Rv11:15),at
whoseservicesheisplaced.Partofherroleconsistsinrecognizingthattheinchoaterealityof
thisKingdomcanbefoundalsobeyondtheconfinesoftheChurch,forexampleinthehearts
ofthefollowersofotherreligioustraditions,insofarastheyliveevangelicalvaluesandare
opentotheactionoftheSpirit.Itmustberememberedneverthelessthatthisisindeedan
inchoatereality,whichneedstofindcompletionthroughbeingrelatedtotheKingdomof
ChristalreadypresentintheChurchyetrealizedfullyonlyintheworldtocome.
36.ThepilgrimChurch
TheChurchonearthisalwaysonpilgrimage.Althoughsheisholybydivineinstitutionher
membersarenotperfecttheybearthemarkoftheirhumanlimitations.Consequently,her
transparencyassacramentofsalvationisblurred.Thisisthereasonwhythechurchherself,
"insofarassheisaninstitutionofmenhereonearth,"andnotonlyhermembers,isconstantly
inneedofrenewalandreform(cf.UR6).
37.Towardsthefullnessofdivinetruth
WithregardtodivineRevelationtheCounciltaughtthat"themostintimatetruthwhichthis
revelationgivesusaboutGodandthesalvationofmanshinesforthinChrist,whoishimself
boththemediatorandthesumtotalofrevelation"(DV2).Faithfultothecommandreceived
fromChristhimself,theapostleshandedonthisRevelation.Yet"theTraditionthatcomes
fromtheapostlesmakesprogressintheChurch,withthehelpoftheHolySpirit.Thereis
growthininsightintotherealitiesandwordsthatarebeingpassedon"(DV8).Thishappens
throughstudyandspiritualexperience.Italsocomesaboutthroughtheteachingofthebishops
whohavereceivedasurecharismoftruth.ThustheChurch"isalwaysadvancingtowardsthe
plenitudeofdivinetruth,untileventuallythewordsofGodarefulfilledinher"(DV8).Thisin
nowaycontradictstheChurch'sdivineinstitutionnorthefullnessofGod'sRevelationinJesus
Christwhichhasbeenentrustedtoher.
38.Dialogueofsalvation
Againstthisbackgrounditbecomeseasiertoseewhyandinwhatsenseinterreligiousdialogue
isanintegralelementoftheChurch'sevangelizingmission.ThefoundationoftheChurch's
commitmenttodialogueisnotmerelyanthropologicalbutprimarilytheological.God,inan
agelongdialogue,hasofferedandcontinuestooffersalvationtohumankind.Infaithfulnessto
thedivineinitiative,theChurchtoomustenterintoadialogueofsalvationwithallmenand
women.
39.Methodsofpresence,respectandlovetowardsall
PopePaulVItaughtthisclearlyinhisfirstEncyclicalEcclesiamSuam.PopeJohnPaulIItoo
hasstressedtheChurch'scalltointerreligiousdialogueandassignedtoitthesamefoundation.
Addressingthe1984PlenaryAssemblyofthePontificalCouncilforInterreligiousDialogue,
thePopedeclared:"(Interreligious)dialogueisfundamentaltotheChurch,whichiscalledto
collaborateinGod'splanwithhermethodsofpresence,respectandlovetowardsallpersons."
HewentontocallattentiontoapassagefromAdGentes:"closelyunitedtomenintheirlife
andwork,Christ'sdiscipleshopetorendertootherstruewitnessofChristandtoworkforthis
salvation,evenwheretheyarenotabletoproclaimChristfully"(AG12).Heprefacedthisby
saying:"dialoguefindsitsplacewithintheChurch'ssalvificmissionforthisreasonitisa
dialogueofsalvation"(15).
40.CollaboratewiththeHolySpirit
Inthisdialogueofsalvation,ChristiansandothersarecalledtocollaboratewiththeSpiritof
theRisenLordwhoisuniversallypresentandactive.Interreligiousdialoguedoesnotmerely
aimatmutualunderstandingandfriendlyrelations.
Itreachesamuchdeeperlevel,thatofthespirit,whereexchangeandsharingconsistina
mutualwitnesstoone'sbeliefsandacommonexplorationofone'srespectivereligious
convictions.Indialogue,Christiansandothersareinvitedtodeepentheirreligious
commitment,torespondwithincreasingsinceritytoGod'spersonalcallandgraciousselfgift,
asourfaithtellsus,alwayspassesthroughthemediationofJesusChristandtheworkofhis
Spirit.
41.ConversiontoGod
Giventhisaim,adeeperconversionofalltowardsGod,interreligiousdialoguepossessesits
ownvalidity.Inthisprocessofconversion"thedecisionmaybemadetoleaveone'sprevious
spiritualorreligioussituationinordertodirectoneselftowardsanother"(16).Sinceredialogue
implies,ontheonehand,mutualacceptanceofdifferences,orevenofcontradictions,andon
theother,respectforthefreedecisionofpersonstakenaccordingtothedictatesoftheir
conscience(cf.DH2).TheteachingoftheCouncilmustneverthelessbeborneinmind:"All
menareboundtoseekthetruth,especiallyinwhatconcernsGodandhisChurch,andto
embraceitandtoholdontoitastheycometoknowit"(DH1).
3.FORMSOFDIALOGUE
42.Theformsofdialogue
Thereexistdifferentformsofinterreligiousdialogue.Itmaybeusefultorecallthose
mentionedbythe1984documentofthePontificalCouncilforInterreligiousDialogue(17).It
spokeoffourforms,withoutclaimingtoestablishamongthemanyorderofpriority:
a)Thedialogueoflife,wherepeoplestrivetoliveinanopenandneighbourlyspirit,sharing
theirjoysandsorrows,theirhumanproblemsandpreoccupations.
b)Thedialogueofaction,inwhichChristiansandotherscollaboratefortheintegral
developmentandliberationofpeople.
c)Thedialogueoftheologicalexchange,wherespecialistsseektodeepentheirunderstanding
oftheirrespectivereligiousheritages,andtoappreciateeachother'sspiritualvalues.
d)Thedialogueofreligiousexperience,wherepersons,rootedintheirownreligious
traditions,sharetheirspiritualriches,forinstancewithregardtoprayerandcontemplation,
faithandwaysofsearchingforGodortheAbsolute.
43.Theinterdependenceofthevariousformsofdialogue
Oneshouldnotlosesightofthisvarietyofformsofdialogue.Wereittobereducedto
theologicalexchange,dialoguemighteasilybetakenasasortofluxuryitemintheChurch's
mission,adomainreservedforspecialists.Onthecontrary,guidedbythePopeandtheir
bishops,alllocalChurches,andallthemembersoftheseChurches,arecalledtodialogue,
thoughnotallinthesameway.Itcanbeseen,moreover,thatthedifferentformsare
interconnected.Contactsindailylifeandcommoncommitmenttoactionwillnormallyopen
thedoorforcooperationinpromotinghumanandspiritualvaluestheymayalsoeventually
leadtothedialogueofreligiousexperienceinresponsetothegreatquestionswhichthe
circumstancesoflifedonotfailtoarouseinthemindsofpeople(cf.NA2).Exchangesatthe
levelofreligiousexperiencecangivemorelifetotheologicaldiscussions.Theseinturncan
enlightenexperienceandencourageclosercontacts.
44.Dialogueandhumanliberation
Theimportanceofdialogueforintegraldevelopment,socialjusticeandhumanliberation
needstobestressed.LocalChurchesarecalledupon,aswitnessestoChrist,tocommit
themselvesinthisrespectinanunselfishandimpartialmanner.Thereisneedtostandupfor
humanrights,proclaimthedemandsofjustice,anddenounceinjusticenotonlywhentheir
ownmembersarevictimized,butindependentlyofthereligiousallegianceofthevictims.
Thereisneedalsotojointogetherintryingtosolvethegreatproblemsfacingsocietyandthe
world,aswellasineducationforjusticeandpeace.
45.Dialogueandculture
Anothercontextinwhichinterreligiousdialogueseemsurgenttodayisthatofculture.Culture
isbroaderthanreligion.Accordingtooneconceptreligioncanbesaidtorepresentthe
transcendentdimensionofcultureandinacertainwayitssoul.Religionshavecertainly
contributedtotheprogressofcultureandtheconstructionofamorehumanesociety.Yet
religiouspracticeshavesometimeshadanalienatinginfluenceuponcultures.Today,an
autonomoussecularculturecanplayacriticalrolewithregardtonegativeelementsin
particularreligions.Thequestioniscomplex,forseveralreligioustraditionsmaycoexist
withinoneandthesameculturalframeworkwhile,conversely,thesamereligionmayfind
expressionindifferentculturalcontexts.Again,religiousdifferencesmayleadtodistinct
culturesinthesameregion.
46.Tensionsandconflicts
TheChristianmessagesupportsmanyvaluesfoundandlivedinthewisdomandtherich
heritageofcultures,butitmayalsoputinquestionculturallyacceptedvalues.Attentive
dialogueimpliesrecognizingandacceptingculturalvalueswhichrespectthehumanperson's
dignityandtranscendentdestiny.Itmayhappen,nevertheless,thatsomeaspectsoftraditional
Christianculturesarechallengedbythelocalculturesofotherreligioustraditions(cf.EN20).
Inthesecomplexrelationshipsbetweencultureandreligion,interreligiousdialogueatthelevel
ofculturetakesonconsiderableimportance.Itsaimistoeliminatetensionsandconflicts,and
potentialconfrontationsbyabetterunderstandingamongthevariousreligiousculturesofany
givenregion.Itmaycontributetopurifyingculturesfromanydehumanizingelements,and
thusbeanagentoftransformation.Itcanalsohelptoupholdcertaintraditionalculturalvalues
whichareunderthreatfrommodernityandthelevellingdownwhichindiscriminate
internationalizationmaybringwithit.
4.DISPOSITIONSFORINTERRELIGIOUSDIALOGUEANDITSFRUITS
47.Abalancedattitude
Dialoguerequires,onthepartofChristiansaswellasofthefollowersofothertraditions,a
balancedattitude.Theyshouldbeneitheringenuousnoroverlycritical,butopenand
receptive.Unselfishnessandimpartiality,acceptanceofdifferencesandofpossible
contradictions,havealreadybeenmentioned.Thewilltoengagetogetherincommitmentto
thetruthandthereadinesstoallowoneselftobetransformedbytheencounterareother
dispositionsrequired.
48.Religiousconviction
Thisdoesnotmeanthatinenteringintodialoguethepartnersshouldlayasidetheirrespective
religiousconvictions.Theoppositeistrue:thesincerityofinterreligiousdialoguerequiresthat
eachentersintoitwiththeintegrityofhisorherownfaith.Atthesametime,whileremaining
firmintheirbeliefthatinJesusChrist,theonlymediatorbetweenGodandman(cf.1Tm2:4
6),thefullnessofrevelationhasbeengiventothem,ChristiansmustrememberthatGodhas
alsomanifestedhimselfinsomewaytothefollowersofotherreligioustraditions.
Consequently,itiswithreceptivemindsthattheyapproachtheconvictionsandvaluesof
others.
49.Opennesstotruth
Moreover,thefullnessoftruthreceivedinJesusChristdoesnotgiveindividualChristiansthe
guaranteethattheyhavegraspedthattruthfully.Inthelastanalysistruthisnotathingwe
possess,butapersonbywhomwemustallowourselvestobepossessed.Thisisanunending
process.Whilekeepingtheiridentityintact,Christiansmustbepreparedtolearnandtoreceive
fromandthroughothersthepositivevaluesoftheirtraditions.Throughdialoguetheymaybe
movedtogiveupingrainedprejudices,torevisepreconceivedideas,andevensometimesto
allowtheunderstandingoftheirfaithtobepurified.
50.Newdimensionsoffaith
IfChristianscultivatesuchopennessandallowthemselvestobetested,theywillbeableto
gatherthefruitsofdialogue.TheywilldiscoverwithadmirationallthatGod'sactionthrough
JesusChristinhisSpirithasaccomplishedandcontinuestoaccomplishintheworldandinthe
wholeofhumankind.Farfromweakeningtheirownfaith,truedialoguewilldeepenit.They
willbecomeincreasinglyawareoftheirChristianidentityandperceivemoreclearlythe
distinctiveelementsoftheChristianmessage.Theirfaithwillgainnewdimensionsasthey
discovertheactivepresenceofthemysteryofJesusChristbeyondthevisibleboundariesof
theChurchandoftheChristianfold.
5.OBSTACLESTODIALOGUE
51.Obstaclesordialogue
Alreadyonapurelyhumanlevel,itisnoteasytopractisedialogue.Interreligiousdialogueis
evenmoredifficult.Itisimportanttobeawareoftheobstacleswhichmayarise.Somewould
applyequallytothemembersofallreligioustraditionsandimpedethesuccessofdialogue.
Othersmayaffectsomereligioustraditionsmorespecificallyandmakeitdifficultfora
processofdialoguetobeinitiated.Someofthemoreimportantobstacleswillbementioned
here.
52.Humanfactors
a)Insufficientgroundinginone'sownfaith.
b)Insufficientknowledgeandunderstandingofthebeliefandpracticesofotherreligions,
leadingtoalackofappreciationfortheirsignificanceandevenattimestomisrepresentation.
d)Sociopoliticalfactorsorsomeburdensofthepast.
e)Wrongunderstandingofthemeaningoftermssuchasconversion,baptism,dialogue,etc.
f)Selfsufficiency,lackofopennessleadingtodefensiveoraggressiveattitudes.
g)Alackofconvictionwithregardtothevalueofinterreligiousdialogue,whichsomemay
seeasataskreservedtospecialists,andothersasasignofweaknessorevenabetrayalofthe
faith.
h)Suspicionabouttheother'smotivesindialogue.
i)Apolemicalspiritwhenexpressingreligiousconvictions.
j)Intolerance,whichisoftenaggravatedbyassociationwithpolitical,economic,racialand
ethnicfactors,alack,ofreciprocityindialoguewhichcanleadtofrustration.
k)Certainfeaturesofthepresentreligiousclimate,e.g.,growingmaterialism,religious
indifference,andthemultiplicationofreligioussectswhichcreatesconfusionandraisesnew
problems.
53.TheinitiativeofGod
Manyoftheseobstaclesarisefromalackofunderstandingofthetruenatureandgoalof
interreligiousdialogue.Theseneedthereforetobeconstantlyexplained.Muchpatienceis
required.ItmustberememberedthattheChurch'scommitmenttodialogueisnotdependent
onsuccessinachievingmutualunderstandingandenrichmentratheritflowsfromGod's
initiativeinenteringintoadialoguewithhumankindandfromtheexampleofJesusChrist
whoselife,deathandresurrectiongavetothatdialogueitsultimateexpression.
54.Thesharingofevangelicalvalues
Moreovertheobstacles,thoughreal,shouldnotleadustounderestimatethepossibilitiesof
dialogueortooverlooktheresultsalreadyachieved.Therehasbeenagrowthinmutual
understanding,andinactivecooperation.DialoguehashadapositiveimpactontheChurch
herself.Otherreligionshavealsobeenledthroughdialoguetorenewalandgreateropenness.
InterreligiousdialoguehasmadeitpossiblefortheChurchtoshareGospelvalueswithothers.
Sodespitethedifficulties,theChurch'scommitmenttodialogueremainsfirmandirreversible.
2.PROCLAIMINGJESUSCHRIST
1.THEMANDATEFROMTHERISENLORD
55.MessengersoftheGospel
TheLordJesusgavetohisdisciplesamandatetoproclaimtheGospel.Thisfactisreportedby
allfourGospelsandbytheActsoftheApostles.Therearehowevercertainnuancesinthe
differentversions.InMatthew,Jesussaystohisdisciples:"Allauthorityinheavenandearth
hasbeengiventome.Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthe
nameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatI
havecommandedyouandso,Iamwithyoualways,tothecloseoftheage"(Mt28:12820).
InMark,thecommandisgivenmoresuccinctly:"GointoalltheworldandpreachtheGospel
tothewholecreation.hewhobelievesandisbaptizedwillbesavedbuthewhodoesnot
believewillbecondemned"(Mk16:1516).
InLuke,theexpressionislessdirect:"Thus,itiswrittenthattheChristshouldsufferandon
thethirddayrisefromthedeath,andthatrepentanceandforgivenessofsinsshouldbe
preachedinhisnametoallthenations,beginningfromJerusalem.Youarewitnessesofthese
things"(Lk24:4648).
InActs,theextentofthiswitnessisemphasized:"ButyoushallreceivepowerwhentheHoly
SpirithascomeuponyouandyoushallbemywitnessesinJerusalemandinallJudeaand
Samariaandtotheendoftheearth"(Ac1:8).
InJohnagain,themissionisexpresseddifferently:"Asyousentmeintotheworld,Ihavesent
themintotheworld"(Jn17:18)"AstheFathersentme,soamIsendingyou"(Jn20:21).
AnnouncingtheGoodNewstoall,witnessing,makingdisciples,baptizing,teaching,allthese
aspectsenterintotheChurch'sevangelizingmission,yettheyneedtobeseeninthelightof
themissionaccomplishedbyJesushimself,themissionhereceivedfromtheFather.
56.ThepresenceoftheKingdom
JesusproclaimedtheGospelfromGodsaying:"Thetimeisfulfilled,andtheKingdomofGod
isathandrepentandbelieveintheGospel"(Mk1:1415).Thispassagesumsuptheministry
ofJesus.JesusdoesnotproclaimthisGoodNewsoftheKingdombywordalone,butalsoby
hisactions,attitudesandoptions,indeedbymeansofhiswholelifeandfinallythroughhis
deathandresurrection.Hisparables,hismiracles,theexorcismsheworks,allarerelatedtothe
KingdomofGodwhichheannounces.ThisKingdommoreoverisnotjustsomethingtobe
preached,quiteunrelatedtohisownperson.Jesusmakesitclearthatitisthroughhimandin
himthattheReignofGodisbreakingthroughintotheworld(cf.Lk17:2022),thatinhimthe
Kingdomhasalreadycomeuponus,eventhoughitstillneedstogrowtoitsfullness(18).
57.Witnessthroughlife
Histeachingisconfirmedbyhislife."Evenifyourefusetobelieveinme,atleastbelievein
theworkIdo"(Jn10:38).Similarly,hisdeedsareexplainedbyhiswordswhichspringfrom
hisawarenessofbeingonewiththeFather."Itellyoumostsolemnly,theSoncandonothing
byhimself,hecanonlydowhatheseestheFatherdoing"(Jn5:19).InthetrialbeforePilate,
Jesussaysthathehascomeintotheworld"tobearwitnesstothetruth"(Jn18:37).TheFather
alsobearswitnesstohim,bothinwordsspokenfromheavenandinthemightyworks,the
signs,whichJesusisenabledtoperform.ItistheSpiritwho"seals"Jesus'witness,
authenticatingitastrue(cf.Jn3:3235).
2.THEROLEOFTHECHURCH
58.TheactivityoftheChurchfortheproclamation
ItisagainstthisbackgroundthatthemandategivenbytheRisenLordtotheApostolicChurch
needstobeunderstood.TheChurch'smissionistoproclaimtheKingdomofGodestablished
onearthinJesusChrist,throughhislife,deathandresurrection,asGod'sdecisiveand
universalofferofsalvationtotheworld.Forthisreason"thereisnotrueevangelizationifthe
name,theteaching,thelife,thepromises,theKingdomandthemysteryofJesusofNazareth,
theSonofGodarenotproclaimed"(EN22).ThereiscontinuitybetweentheKingdom
preachedbyJesusandthemysteryofChristannouncedbytheChurch.
59.AttheserviceoftheKingdom
ContinuingthemissionofJesus,theChurchis"theseedandbeginning"oftheKingdom(cf.
LG5).SheisattheserviceofthisKingdomand"witnesses"toit.Thisincludeswitnessto
faithinChrist,theSaviour,sincethisistheveryheartoftheChurch'sownfaithandlife.Inthe
historyoftheChurch,alltheApostleswere"witnesses"tothelife,deathandresurrectionof
Christ(cf.Ac2:323:1510:3913:3123:11).Witnessisgivenbywordsanddeedswhichare
nottobesetoneagainsttheother.Thedeedvalidatestheword,butwithoutthewordthedeed
maybemisinterpreted.ThewitnessoftheApostles,bothinwordsandsigns,issubordinateto
theHolySpirit,sentbytheFathertofulfillthistaskofwitness(cf.Jn15:26ff1Jn5:710Ac
5:32).
3.THECONTENTOFPROCLAMATION
60.PeterannouncestheRisenChrist
OntheDayofPentecost,infulfillmentofChrist'spromise,theHolySpiritcamedownonthe
Apostles.Atthattime"thereweredevoutmenlivinginJerusalemfromeverynationunder
heaven"(Ac2:5)thelistofpeoplepresent,giveninthebookofActs,servestounderlinethe
universalimportofthisfirstecclesialevent.InthenameoftheEleven,Peteraddressedthose
assembled,announcingJesus,commendedbyGodwithmiraclesandportents,crucifiedby
menbutraisedtolifeagainbyGod.Heconcluded:"ForthisreasonthewholehouseofIsrael
canbecertainthatGodhasmadethisJesus,whomyoucrucified,bothLordandChrist"(Ac
2:36).Thiswasfollowedbytheinvitationtohishearerstorepent,tobecomedisciplesofJesus
bybeingbaptizedinhisnamefortheforgivenessofsins,andthustoreceivethegiftofthe
HolySpirit.Alittlelater,beforetheSanhedrin,Peterborewitnesstohisfaithintherisen
Christ,statingclearly:"Onlyinhimistheresalvation,forofallnamesintheworldgivento
menthisistheonlyonebywhichwecanbesaved"(Ac4:1112).Theuniversalnatureofthe
Christianmessageofsalvationisbroughtoutagainintheaccountoftheconversionof
Cornelius.WhenPeterwitnessedtothelifeandworkofJesus,fromthebeginningofhis
ministryinGalileerightuptohisResurrection,"theHolySpiritcamedownonallthe
listeners"sothatthosewhohadaccompaniedPeterwereastonished"thatthegiftoftheHoly
Spiritshouldbepouredoutongentilestoo"(Ac10:4445).
61.Paulannouncesthemysterykepthiddenforcenturies
TheApostlestherefore,followingthePentecostevent,presentthemselvesaswitnessesto
Christ'sresurrection(cf.Ac1:224:335:3233),or,inamoreconciseformula,simplyas
witnessestoChrist(cf.Ac3:1513:31).NowhereisthisclearerthaninPaul,"calledtobean
apostle,setapartfortheserviceoftheGospel"(Rm1:1),whoreceivedfromJesusChristthe
"apostolicmissionofwinningtheobedienceoffaithamongallthenationsforthehonourof
hisname"(Rm1:5).Paulpreaches"theGospelthatGodpromisedlongagothroughhis
prophetsintheholyscriptures"(Rm1:2),the"GospelofhisSon"(Rm1:9).Hepreachesa
crucifiedChrist:"astumblingblocktoJewsandfollytoGentiles"(1Co1:23cf.2:2),"forno
otherfoundationcananyonelaythanthatwhichislaid"(1Co3:11).Thewholemessageof
Paulis,asitwere,summedupinhissolemndeclarationtotheEphesians:"I,whoamlessthan
theleastofallGod'sholypeople,havebeenentrustedwiththisspecialgrace,ofproclaiming
tothegentilesthisunfathomabletreasureofChristandofthrowinglightontheinnerworkings
ofthemysterykepthiddenthroughalltheagesinGod,theCreatorofeverything"thismany
sidedwisdomofGodwhichhehasnowrevealedthroughtheChurch,"accordingtotheplan
whichhehadformedfromalleternityinChristJesusourLord"(Ep3:811).Thesame
messageisfoundinthePastoralLetters.God"desiresallmentobesavedandtocometothe
knowledgeofthetruth.FortheseisoneGod,andthereisonemediatorbetweenGodandmen
themanChristJesus,whogavehimselfasaransomforall"(1Tm2:46).This"mysteryofour
religion"whichis"verydeep"findsexpressioninaliturgicalfragment:"Hewasmanifestedin
theflesh,vindicatedinthespirit,seenbyangels,preachedamongthenations,believedonin
theworld,takenupinglory"(1Tm3:16).
62.JohngavewitnesstotheWordofLife
TurningtotheapostleJohn,wefindthathepresentshimselfaboveallasawitness,onewho
hasseenJesusanddiscoveredhismystery(cf.Jn13:232521:24)."Wearedeclaringtoyou
whatwehaveseenandheard"oftheWordoflife"sothatyoutoomanyshareourlife"(1
Jn4:14).CentraltothemessageofJohnistheIncarnation:"TheWordbecameflesh,helived
amongus,andwesawhisglory,theglorythathehasfromtheFatherasonlySonofthe
Father,fullofgraceandtruth"(Jn1:14).ThroughJesus,therefore,theFathercanbeseen(cf.
Jn14:9)heisthewaytotheFather(cf.Jn14:6).Lifteduponthecrosshedrawsallpeopleto
himself(cf.Jn12:32).Heistruly"theSaviouroftheWorld"(Jn4:42).
63.ThepoweroftheWordannouncedbytheChurch
"Proclaimtheword",PaulwritestoTimothy(2Tm4:2).Thecontentofthiswordisexpressed
indifferentways:itistheKingdom(cf.Ac20:25),theGospeloftheKingdom(cf.Mt24:14),
theGospelofGod(cf.Mk1:141Tm2:9).Butthesedifferentformulationsreallymeanthe
samething:topreachJesus(cf.Ac9:2019:13),topreachChrist(cf.Ac8:5).JustasJesus
spokeGod'sownwords(cf.Jn3:34),sotheapostlespreachthewordofGod,forJesuswhom
theypreachistheWord.
TheChristianmessagethereforeisapowerfulone,tobewelcomedforwhatitreallyis,"not
thewordofanyhumanbeing,butGod'sword"(1Th2:13).Acceptedinfaiththewordwillbe
"aliveandactive",cutting"moreincisivelythananytwoedgedsword"(Heb4:12).Itwillbea
wordwhichpurifies(cf.Jn15:3),itwillbethesourceofthetruthwhichbringsfreedom(cf.
Jn8:3132).Thewordwillbecomeaninteriorpresence:"anyonewholovesmewillkeepmy
word,andmyFatherwilllovehim,andweshallcometohimandmakeahomeinhim"(Jn
14:23).ThisisthewordofGodwhichistobeproclaimedbyChristians.
4.THEPRESENCEANDPOWEROFTHEHOLYSPIRIT
64.ThepresenceoftheHolySpirit
Inproclaimingthisword,theChurchknowsthatshecanrelyontheHolySpirit,whoboth
promptsherproclamationandleadsthehearerstoobedienceoffaith."ItistheHolySpiritwho
today,justasatthebeginningoftheChurch,actsineveryevangelizerwhoallowshimselfto
bepossessedandledbyhim.TheHolySpiritplacesonhislipsthewordswhichhecouldnot
findbyhimself,andatthesametimetheHolySpiritpredisposesthesoulofthehearertobe
openandreceptivetotheGoodNewsandtotheKingdombeingproclaimed"(EN75).
65.ThepoweroftheHolySpirit
TheforceoftheSpiritisattestedbythefactthatthemostpowerfulwitnessisoftengiven
preciselyatthatpointwherethediscipleismosthelpless,incapableofwordordeed,andyet
remainsfaithful.AsPaulsays:"Iwillallthemoregladlyboastofmyweaknesses,thatthe
powerofChristmayrestuponme.ForthesakeofChrist,thenIamcontentwithweaknesses,
insults,hardships,persecutions,andcalamitiesforwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong"(2Co
12:910).ThewitnessbywhichtheSpiritbringsmenandwomentoknowJesusasLordisno
humanachievementbutGod'sownwork.
5.THEURGENCYOFPROCLAMATION
66.Thedutytoannounce
PopePaulVIsaidinhisExhortationEvangeliiNuntiandi:"ThepresentationoftheGospel
messageisnotoptionalfortheChurch.Itisherduty,bycommandoftheLordJesus,sothat
menmaybelieveandbesaved.Thismessageisindeedanecessaryone.Itisuniqueand
irreplaceable.Itallowsofneitherindifference,syncretism,norcompromise,foritconcernsthe
salvationofmankind"(EN5).TheurgencyhadbeenindicatedbyPaul:"Howthenaretheyto
calluponhimiftheyhavenotcometobelieveinhim?Andhowcantheybelieveinhimif
theyhaveneverheardofhim?Andhowwilltheyhearofhimunlessthereisapreacherfor
them?...Butitisinthatwaythatfaithcomes,fromhearing,andthatmeanshearingtheword
ofChrist"(Rm10:4ff).
"Thislaw,setdownonedaybytheApostlePaul,maintainsitsfullforcetoday...itisthrough
listeningtotheWordthatoneisledtobelieve"(EN42).Itisfittingtorememberalsothat
otherwordofPaul:"ForifIpreachtheGospel,thatgivesmenogroundforboasting.For
necessityislaiduponme.WoetomeifIdonotpreachtheGospel"(1Co9:16).
67.AnnouncesalvationinJesusChrist
Proclamationisaresponsetothehumanaspirationforsalvation."WhereverGodopensadoor
forthewordinordertodeclarethemysteryofChrist,thenthelivingGodandhewhomhehas
sentforthesalvationofall,JesusChrist,areconfidentlyandperseveringlyproclaimedtoall
men.AndthisisinorderthatnonChristians,whoseheartsarebeingopenedbytheHoly
Spirit,might,whilebelieving,freelyturntotheLordwho,sinceheistheWay,theTruth,and
theLife(Jn14,6),willsatisfyalltheirinnerhopes,orratherinfinitelysurpassthem"(AG
13).
6.THEMANNEROFPROCLAMATION
68.TheguidanceoftheHolySpirit
WhileproclaimingthemessageofGodinJesusChrist,theevangelizingChurchmustalways
rememberthathertaskisnotexercisedinacompletevoid.FortheHolySpirit,theSpiritof
Christ,ispresentandactiveamongthehearersoftheGoodNewsevenbeforetheChurch's
missionaryactioncomesintooperation(cf.RH12DV53).Theymayinmanycaseshave
alreadyrespondedimplicitlytoGod'sofferofsalvationinJesusChrist,asignofthisbeingthe
sincerepracticeoftheirownreligioustraditions,insofarasthesecontainauthenticreligious
values.TheymayhavealreadybeentouchedbytheSpiritandinsomewayassociated
unknowinglytothepaschalmysteryofJesusChrist(cf.GS22).
69.Learntoannounce
MindfulofwhatGodhasalreadyaccomplishedinthoseaddressed,theChurchseeksto
discovertherightwaytoannouncetheGoodNews.Shetakesherleadfromdivinepedagogy.
ThismeanslearningfromJesushimself,andobservingthetimesandseasonsaspromptedby
theSpirit.JesusonlyprogressivelyrevealedtohishearersthemeaningoftheKingdom,God's
planofsalvationrealizedinhisownmystery.Onlygradually,andwithinfinitecare,didhe
unveilforthemtheimplicationsofhismessage,hisidentityastheSonofGod,thescandalof
theCross.Evenhisclosestdisciples,astheGospelstestify,reachedfullfaithintheirMaster
onlythroughtheirEasterexperienceandthegiftoftheSpirit.Thosewhowishtobecome
disciplesofJesustodaywillpassthroughthesameprocessofdiscoveryandcommitment.
AccordinglytheChurch'sproclamationmustbebothprogressiveandpatient,keepingpace
withthosewhobearthemessage,respectingtheirfreedomandeventheir"slownessto
believe"(EN79).
70.ThequalitiesspecifictotheGospel
OtherqualitiesmustalsocharacterizetheChurch'sproclamation.Itshouldbe:
a)Confident,inthepoweroftheSpirit,andinobediencetothemandatereceivedfromthe
Lord(cf.1Tm2:22Co3:127:4Ph1:20Ep3:126:1920Ac4:13,29,319:27,28etc.).
b)FaithfulinthetransmissionoftheteachingreceivedfromChristandpreservedinthe
Church,whichisthedepositaryoftheGoodNewstobeproclaimed(cf.EN15)."Fidelityto
themessagewhoseservantsweare...isapivotalpointofproclamation"(EN4).
"Evangelizationisfornooneanindividualandisolatedactitisonethatisdeeplyecclesial"
(EN60).
c)Humble,intheawarenessthatthefullnessofrevelationinJesusChristhasbeenreceivedas
afreegift(Ep3:2),andthatthemessengersoftheGospeldonotalwaysfullyliveuptoits
demands.
d)Respectful,ofthepresenceandactionoftheSpiritofGodintheheartsofthosewholisten
tothemessage,intherecognitionthattheSpiritisthe"principalagentofevangelization"(EN
75).
e)Dialogical,forinproclamationtheheareroftheWordisnotexpectedtobeapassive
receiver.Thereisprogressfromthe"seedsoftheWord"alreadypresentinthehearertothe
fullmysteryofsalvationinJesusChrist.TheChurchmustrecognizeaprocessofpurification
andenlightenmentinwhichtheSpiritofGodopensthemindandheartofthehearertothe
obedienceoffaith.
f)Inculturated,incarnatedinthecultureandthespiritualtraditionofthoseaddressed,sothat
themessageisnotonlyintelligibletothem,butisconceivedasrespondingtotheirdeepest
aspirations,astrulytheGoodNewstheyhavebeenlongingfor(cf.En20,62).
71.IncloseunionwithChrist
TomaintainthesequalitiestheChurchmustnotonlybearinmindthecircumstancesoflife
andthereligiousexperienceofthoseaddressed.Shemustalsoliveinconstantdialoguewith
herLordandMasterthroughprayerandpenance,meditationandliturgicallife,andaboveall
inthecelebrationoftheEucharist.Onlythenwillbothproclamationandcelebrationofthe
Gospelmessagebecomefullyalive.
7.OBSTACLESTOPROCLAMATION
72.Difficultyoftheproclamation
TheChurch'sproclamationoftheGoodNewsmakesseriousdemandsbothonthe
evangelizingChurchandhermembersengagedinevangelization,andonthosecalledbyGod
totheobedienceofChristianfaith.Itisnoeasytask.Someoftheprincipalobstaclesshecan
meetwitharementionedhere.
73.Internaldifficulties
a)ItcanhappenthatChristianwitnessdoesnotcorrespondtobeliefthereisagapbetween
wordanddeed,betweentheChristianmessageandthewayChristiansliveit.
b)ChristiansmayfailtoproclaimtheGospelthroughnegligence,humanrespect,orshame,
whichSaintPaulcalled"blushingfortheGospel",orbecauseoffalseideasaboutGod'splan
ofsalvation(cf.EN80).
c)Christianswholackappreciationandrespectforotherbelieversandtheirreligious
traditionsareillpreparedtoproclaimtheGospeltothem.
d)InsomeChristians,anattitudeofsuperiority,whichcanshowitselfattheculturallevel,
mightgiverisetothesuppositionthataparticularcultureislinkedwiththeChristianmessage
andistobeimposedonconverts.
74.Externaldifficulties
a)Theweightofhistorymakesproclamationmoredifficult,ascertainmethodsof
evangelizationinthepasthavesometimesarousedfearandsuspiciononthepartofthe
followersofotherreligions.
b)ThemembersofotherreligionsmayfearthattheChurch'sevangelizingmissionwillresult
inthedestructionoftheirreligionandculture.
c)Adifferentconceptionofhumanrightsoralackofrespectfortheminpracticecanresultin
alackofreligiousfreedom.
d)PersecutioncanrendertheChurch'sproclamationespeciallydifficultorwellnigh
impossible.Itmustberemembered,however,thattheCrossisasourceoflife"thebloodof
martyrsistheseedofChristians."
e)Theidentificationofaparticularreligionwiththenationalculture,orwithapolitical
system,createsaclimateofintolerance.
f)Insomeplaces,conversionisforbiddenbylaworconvertstoChristianitymeetwithserious
problems,suchasostracismbytheirreligiouscommunityoforigin,socialmilieuorcultural
environment.
g)Inpluralisticcontexts,thedangerofindifferentism,relativism,orofreligioussyncretism
createsobstaclestotheproclamationoftheGospel.
8.PROCLAMATIONINTHEEVANGELIZINGMISSIONOFTHECHURCH
75.ProclamationthatJesusistheSonofGod
TheChurch'sevangelizingmissionhassometimesbeenunderstoodasconsistingsimplyin
invitingpeopletobecomedisciplesofJesusintheChurch.Gradually,abroaderunderstanding
ofevangelizationhasdeveloped,inwhichproclamationofthemysteryofChristnevertheless
remainscentral.TheSecondVaticanCouncil'sdecreeontheMissionaryActivityofthe
Church,whendealingwithmissionarywork,mentionssolidaritywithmankind,dialogueand
collaboration,beforespeakingaboutwitnessandthepreachingoftheGospel(cf.AG1113).
The1974SynodofBishopsandtheApostolicExhortationEvangeliiNuntiandiwhich
followedithavebothtakenevangelizationinabroadsense.Inevangelization,thewhole
personoftheevangelizerisinvolved,words,actions,witnessoflife(cf.EN2122).Likewise
itsaimextendstoallthatishuman,asitseekstotransformhumancultureandcultureswith
thepoweroftheGospel(cf.EN1820).YetPopePaulVImadeitquiteclearthat
"evangelizationwillalwaysentailasthesimultaneousfoundation,coreandsummitofits
dynamismaclearproclamationthatinJesusChrist,theSonofGodmademan,whodiedand
rosefromthedead,salvationisofferedtoallasagiftofGod'skindnessandmercy"(EN27).
Itisinthissensethatthe1984documentofthePontificalCouncilforInterreligiousDialogue
listsproclamationamongthevariouselementswhichmakeuptheChurch'sevangelizing
mission(19).
76.Thesacreddutytoannounce
StillitisusefultopointoutonceagainthattoproclaimthenameofJesusandtoinvitepeople
tobecomehisdisciplesintheChurchisasacredandmajordutywhichtheChurchcannot
neglect.Evangelizationwouldbeincompletewithoutit(EN22),forwithoutthiscentral
elementtheothers,thoughinthemselvesgenuineformsoftheChurch'smission,wouldlose
theircohesionandvitality.Itisclearthereforethatinsituationswhere,forpoliticalorother
reasons,proclamationassuchispracticallyimpossible,theChurchisalreadycarryingouther
evangelizingmissionnotonlythroughpresenceandwitnessbutalsothroughsuchactivitiesas
workforintegralhumandevelopmentanddialogue.Ontheotherhand,inothersituations
wherepeoplearedisposedtohearthemessageoftheGospelandhavethepossibilityof
respondingtoit,theChurchisindutyboundtomeettheirexpectations.
3.INTERRELIGIOUSDIALOGUEANDPROCLAMATION
1.INTERRELATEDYETNOTINTERCHANGEABLE
77.TheChurch'smission
Interreligiousdialogueandproclamation,thoughnotonthesamelevel,arebothauthentic
elementsoftheChurch'sevangelizingmission.Botharelegitimateandnecessary.Theyare
intimatelyrelated,butnotinterchangeable:trueinterreligiousdialogueonthepartofthe
ChristiansupposesthedesiretomakeJesusChristbetterknown,recognizedandloved
proclaimingJesusChrististobecarriedoutintheGospelspiritofdialogue.Thetwoactivities
remaindistinctbut,asexperienceshows,oneandthesamelocalChurch,oneandthesame
person,canbediverselyengagedinboth.
78.Awarenessofthecircumstances
InactualfactthewayoffulfillingtheChurch'smissiondependsupontheparticular
circumstancesofeachlocalChurch,ofeachChristian.Italwaysimpliesacertainsensitivityto
thesocial,cultural,religiousandpoliticalaspectsofthesituation,asalsoattentivenesstothe
"signsofthetimes"throughwhichthespiritofGodisspeaking,teachingandguiding.Such
sensitivityandattentivenessisdevelopedthroughaspiritualityofdialogue.Thisrequiresa
prayerfuldiscernmentandtheologicalreflectiononthesignificanceinGod'splanofthe
differentreligioustraditionsandtheexperienceofthosewhofindinthemtheirspiritual
nourishment.
2.THECHURCHANDRELIGIONS
79.TheuniversalityoftheChurch'smission
Infulfillinghermission,theChurchcomesintocontactwithpeopleofotherreligious
traditions.SomebecomedisciplesofJesusChristinhisChurch,asaresultofaprofound
conversionandthroughafreedecisionoftheirown.Othersareattractedbythepersonof
Jesusandhismessage,butforvariousreasonsdonotenterthefold.Yetothersseemtohave
butlittleornointerestinJesus.Whateverthecasemaybe,theChurch'smissionextendstoall.
Alsoinrelationtothereligionstowhichtheybelong,theChurchindialoguecanbeseento
haveapropheticrole.InbearingwitnesstoGospelvalues,sheraisesquestionsforthese
religions.Similarly,theChurch,insofarasshebearsthemarkofhumanlimitations,mayfind
herselfchallenged.Soinpromotingthesevalues,inaspiritofemulationandofrespectforthe
mysteryofGod,themembersoftheChurchandthefollowersofotherreligionsfind
themselvestobecompanionsonthecommonpathwithhumanityiscalledtotread.Attheend
ofthedayofprayer,fasting,andpilgrimageforpeaceinAssisi,PopeJohnPaulIIsaid:"Let
usseeinitananticipationofwhatGodwouldlikethedevelopinghistoryofhumanitytobe:a
fraternaljourneyinwhichweaccompanyoneanothertowardsthetranscendentalgoalwhich
hesetsforus"(20).
80.Thewayofdialogue
TheChurchencouragesandfostersinterreligiousdialoguenotonlybetweenherselfandother
religioustraditions,butevenamongthesereligioustraditionsthemselves.Thisisonewayin
whichshefulfillsherroleas"sacrament,thatis,asignandinstrumentofcommunionwith
Godandunityamongallpeople"(LG1).Sheisinvitedbythespirittoencourageallreligious
institutionsandmovementstomeet,toenterintocollaboration,andtopurifythemselvesin
ordertopromotetruthandlive,holiness,justice,loveandpeace,dimensionsofthatKingdom
which,attheendoftime,ChristwillhandovertohisFather(cf.1Co15:24).Thus,
interreligiousdialogueistrulypartofthedialogueofsalvationinitiatedbyGod(21).
3.PROCLAIMINGJESUSCHRIST
81.Preachandconfess
Proclamation,ontheotherhand,aimsatguidingpeopletoexplicitknowledgeofwhatGod
hasdoneforallmenandwomeninJesusChrist,andatinvitingthemtobecomedisciplesof
JesusthroughbecomingmembersoftheChurch.When,inobediencetothecommandofthe
risenLordandtheSpirit'spromptings,theChurchfulfillsthistaskofproclamation,thiswill
oftenneedtobedoneinaprogressivemanner.Adiscernmentistobemadeconcerninghow
Godispresentineachone'spersonalhistory.Thefollowersofotherreligionsmaydiscover,as
mayChristiansalso,thattheyalreadysharemanyvalues.Thiscanleadtoachallengeinthe
formofthewitnessoftheChristiancommunityorapersonalprofessionoffaith,inwhichthe
fullidentityofJesusishumblyconfessed.Then,whenthetimeisright,Jesus'decisive
questioncanbeput:"WhodoyousaythatIam?"Thetrueanswertothisquestioncancome
onlythroughfaith.Thepreachingandtheconfession,underthemovementofgrace,thatJesus
ofNazarethistheSonofGodtheFather,theRisenLordandSaviour,constitutesthefinal
stageofproclamation.Onewhofreelyprofessesthisfaithisinvitedtobecomeadiscipleof
JesusinhisChurchandtotakearesponsiblepartinhermission.
4.COMMITMENTTOTHEONEMISSION
82.Personalinvolvement
AllChristiansarecalledtobepersonallyinvolvedinthesetwowaysofcarryingouttheone
missionoftheChurch,namelyproclamationanddialogue.Themannerinwhichtheydothis
willdependonthecircumstancesandalsoontheirdegreeofpreparation.Theymust
neverthelessalwaysbearinmindthatdialogue,ashasalreadybeensaid,doesnotconstitute
thewholemissionoftheChurch,thatitcannotsimplyreplaceproclamation,butremains
orientedtowardsproclamationinsofarasthedynamicprocessoftheChurch'sevangelizing
missionreachesinititsclimaxanditsfullness.Astheyengageininterreligiousdialoguethey
willdiscoverthe"seedsoftheWord"sowninpeople'sheartsandinthereligioustraditionsto
whichtheybelong.IndeepeningtheirappreciationofthemysteryofChristtheywillbeable
todiscernthepositivevaluesinthehumansearchfortheunknownorincompletelyknown
God.Throughoutthevariousstagesofdialogue,thepartnerswillfeelagreatneedbothto
impartandtoreceiveinformation,togiveandtoreceiveexplanations,toaskquestionsofeach
other.Christiansindialoguehavethedutyofrespondingtotheirpartners'expectations
regardingthecontentsoftheChristianfaith,ofbearingwitnesstothisfaithwhenthisiscalled
for,ofgivinganaccountofthehopethatiswithinthem(1P3:15).Inordertobeabletodo
this,Christiansshoulddeepentheirfaith,purifytheirattitudes,clarifytheirlanguageand
rendertheirworshipmoreandmoreauthentic.
83.Loveandsharing
Inthisdialogicalapproach,howcouldtheynothopeanddesiretosharewithotherstheirjoy
inknowingandfollowingJesusChrist,LordandSaviour?Wearehereattheheartofthe
mysteryoflove.InsofarastheChurchandChristianshaveadeeplovefortheLordJesus,the
desiretosharehimwithothersismotivatednotmerelybyobediencetotheLord'scommand,
butbythisloveitself.Itshouldnotbesurprising,butquitenormal,thatthefollowersofother
religionsshouldalsodesiresincerelytosharetheirfaith.Alldialogueimpliesreciprocityand
aimsatbanishingfearandaggressiveness.
84.IndicationsoftheHolySpirit
ChristiansmustalwaysbeawareoftheinfluenceoftheHolySpiritandbepreparedtofollow
whereverinGod'sprovidenceanddesigntheSpiritisleadingthem.ItistheSpiritwhois
guidingtheevangelizingmissionoftheChurch.ItbelongstotheSpirittoinspireboththe
Church'sproclamationandtheobedienceoffaith.Itisforustobeattentivetothepromptings
oftheSpirit.Whetherproclamationbepossibleornot,theChurchpursueshermissioninfull
respectforfreedom,throughinterreligiousdialogue,witnessingtoandsharingGospelvalues.
Inthisway,thepartnersindialogueproceedinresponsetothedivinecallofwhichtheyare
conscious.All,bothChristiansandthefollowersofotherreligioustraditions,areinvitedby
Godhimselftoenterintothemysteryofhispatience,ashumanbeingsseekhislightandtruth.
OnlyGodknowsthetimesandstagesofthefulfillmentofthislonghumanquest.
5.JESUSOURMODEL
85.TheexampleofJesus
ItisinthisclimateofexpectationandlisteningthattheChurchandChristianspursue
proclamationandinterreligiousdialoguewithatrueGospelspirit.Theyareawarethat"all
thingsworktogetherforthegoodofthosewholoveGod"(Rm8:28).Bygracetheyhave
cometoknowthatheistheFatherofall,andthathehasrevealedhimselfinJesusChrist.Is
notJesustheirmodelandguideinthecommitmenttobothproclamationanddialogue?Ishe
nottheonlyonewhoeventodaycansaytoasincerereligiousperson:"Youarenotfarfrom
theKingdomofGod"(Mk12:34)?
86.IntimatelyunitedtoChrist
ChristiansarenotonlytoimitateJesus,buttobecloselyunitedtohim.Heinvitedhisdisciples
andfriendstojoinhiminhisuniqueofferingonbehalfofthewholeofhumanity.Thebread
andwineforwhichhegavethankssymbolizedtheentirecreation.Theybecamehisbody
"given"andhisblood"pouredoutfortheforgivenessofsins."Throughtheministryofthe
Church,theoneEucharistisofferedbyJesusineveryageandplace,sincethetimeofhis
passion,deathandresurrectioninJerusalem.ItisherethatChristiansunitethemselvesto
Christinhisofferingwhich"bringssalvationtothewholeworld"(Euch.PrayerIV).Sucha
prayerispleasingtoGodwho"desiresallmentobesavedandtocometotheknowledgeof
thetruth"(1Tm2:4).Thustheyofferthanksfor"everythingthatistrue,everythingthatis
honourable,everythingthatisuprightandpure,everythingthatweloveandadmire,whatever
isgoodandpraiseworthy"(Ph4:8).Heretheydrawthegraceofdiscernment,tobeableto
readthesignsoftheSpirit'spresenceandtorecognizethefavourabletimeandrightmannerof
proclaimingJesusChrist.
CONCLUSION
87.Specialattentionforeachreligion
Theaimofthesereflectionsoninterreligiousdialogueandproclamationhasbeentoprovide
somebasicclarifications.However,itisimportanttorememberthatthevariousreligions
differfromoneanother.Specialattentionshouldthereforebegiventorelationswiththe
followersofeachreligion.
88.Specificstudiesontherelationshipbetweendialoguesandannouncement
Itisalsoimportantthatspecificstudiesontherelationshipbetweendialogueandproclamation
beundertaken,takingintoaccounteachreligionwithinitsgeographicalareaanditssocio
culturalcontext.EpiscopalConferencescouldentrustsuchstudiestotheappropriate
commissionsandtheologicalandpastoralinstitutes.Inthelightoftheresultsofthesestudies,
theseinstitutescouldalsoorganizespecialcoursesandstudysessionsinordertotrainpeople
forbothdialogueandproclamation.Specialattentionistobegiventoyoungpeoplelivingina
pluralisticenvironment,whomeetthefollowersofotherreligionsatschool,atwork,inyouth
movementsandotherassociationsandevenwithintheirownfamilies.
89.Theneedforprayer
Dialogueandproclamationaredifficulttasks,andyetabsolutelynecessary.AllChristians,
accordingtotheirsituations,shouldbeencouragedtoequipthemselvessothattheymaybetter
fulfilthistwofoldcommitment.Yetmorethantaskstobeaccomplished,dialogueand
proclamationaregracestobesoughtinprayer.Mayallcontinuallyimplorethehelpofthe
HolySpiritsothathemaybe"thedivineinspireroftheirplans,theirinitiativesandtheir
evangelizingactivity"(EN75).
Rome,19May1991
(1)JointDocumentofthePontificalCouncilforInterreligiousDialogueandtheCongregation
forEvangelizationofPeoples,Rome,19May1991OR.21June,1991.
(2)TheattitudeoftheChurchTowardstheFollowersofOtherReligions:Reflectionsand
OrientationsonDialogueandMission,AAS75[1984],pp.816828alsoBulletin
SecretariatusprononChristianis56(1984/2),No.13.(Thisdocumentwillbereferredto
henceforthasDM).
(3)Insegnamenti1986,IX/2,pp.1249127320192029.Cf.BulletinNo.64(1987/1),which
containsallthePope'sdiscoursesbefore,duringandaftertheDayofPrayerinAssisi.
(4)Insegnamenti1987,X/1,pp.14491452.Cf.BulletinNo.66(1987/3),pp.223225.
(5)GuidelinesonDialoguewithPeopleofLivingFaithandIdeologies,WorldCouncilof
Churches,Geneva1979"MissionandEvangelismanEcumenicalAffirmation",in
InternationalReviewofMission71(1982),pp.427451.
(6)DM3.
(7)DM37.
(8)BecausethespiritualpatrimonycommontoChristiansandJewsissogreat(NA4),
dialoguebetweenChristiansandJewshasitsownspecialrequirements.Thesearenotdealt
withinthisdocument.Forafulltreatment,cf.CommissionforReligiousRelationswithJews,
GuidelinesonReligiousRelationswithJews,1December1974(inAustinP.Flannery,O.P.,
ed.DocumentsofVaticanII,1984,pp.743749)"NotesforaCorrectPresentationofJews
andJudaisminCatholicPreachingandCatechesis",24June1985,inOriginsvol.15,No.2(4
July1985),pp.102107.
(9)ThequestionofNewReligiousMovementshasbeentreatedinarecentdocument
publishedincollaborationbythefollowingPontificalCouncils:PCforPromotingChristian
Unity,PCforInterreligiousDialogue,PCforDialoguewithNonBelieversandPCfor
Culture.ThecompletetextcanbefoundinOriginsvol.16,No.1(22May1986)French
originalinLaDocumentationCatholique,No.1919(1June1986).
(10)Justinspeaksaboutthe"seeds"sownbytheLogosinthereligioustraditions.Throughthe
incarnationthemanifestationoftheLogosbecomescomplete(1Rv46:142Rv8:110:13
13:46).ForIrenaeus,theSon,thevisiblemanifestationoftheFather,hasrevealedhimselfto
mankind"fromthebeginning"yettheIncarnationbringsaboutsomethingentirelynew(Adv.
Haer.,4,6,574.7,24,20,67).ClementofAlexandriaexplainsthat"philosophy"wasgivento
theGreeksbyGodasa"covenant",asa"steppingstonetothephilosophywhichisaccording
toChrist,"asa"schoolmaster"bringingtheHellenisticmindtohim(Stromata,1,56.87,2).
(11)Adv.Haer.,3,11,8.
(12)Retract.,1,13,3cf.Enarr.inPs.118(Sermo29,9),142,3.
(13)Insegnamenti1986,IX/2,pp.20192029OR.EE.5January1987.
(14)JohnPaulII,ToIndianBishopson"adlimina"visit(13April1989)Insegnamenti1989,
XII/1,pp.802804.
(15)Insegnamenti1984,VII/1,pp.595599.
(16)DM37.
(17)Cf.DM2835.
(18)IntheearlyChurch,theKingdomofGodisidentifiedwiththeReignofChrist(cf.Ep
5:5Rv11:1512:10).SeealsoOrigen,inMt14:7Hom.inLk36,wherehecallsChrist
autobasileia,andTertullian,Adv.Marc.IV,33,8:"InevangelioestDeiRegnum,Christus
ipse".Onthecorrectunderstandingoftheterm"kingdom",seethereportoftheInternational
TheologicalCommission(8October1985):SelectedThemesinEcclesiology,No.10,3.
(19)DM13.
(20)Inegnamenti1986,IX/2,p.1262.
(21)Cf.EcclesiamSuam,ch.IIIcf.alsoInsegnamenti1984,VII/1,p.598.

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