wfn.org | WCC UPDATE: Interreligious dialogue recast "in humility and

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World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 10/06/2005

RELIGIOUS LEADERS LOOK TO RECAST INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE "IN HUMILITY AND
HOPE"

	Free photos available see below

Representatives of the world's main faith communities have proposed
reshaping the approach to global interreligious dialogue to face threats
posed by the current world context more effectively.

"Recasting interreligious dialogue as a practice of humility and hope
offers a way of building greater trust," concluded participants in an
international conference on a "critical moment in interreligious dialogue"
convened by the Geneva-based World Council of Churches, 7-9 June 2005.

"Together may we seize this critical moment and help transform its perils
into a pilgrimage of faith that will guide us to a more just, compassionate and peaceful future," agreed the over-130 representatives from ten of the
world's religious traditions involved in the event.

> Specific strategies

The conference outlined specific strategies which aim to shift the
emphasis of interreligious relations from dialogue to common action,
including new education and training programmes and exchanges which foster
a culture of dialogue.

Symbolic actions which promote healing of historical memory, new structures and networks, and action plans at the national and regional levels were
upheld as practical ways to follow up.

The conference also enabled open discussion of divisive issues, notably
those of religious violence and conversion, and called for repentance and
humility that "opens a way to move from a dialogue of strangers to a
dialogue of neighbours".

Participants expressed caution about understandings of dialogue that
diminish particular identities and traditions, and that generate suspicion
and hostility to dialogue within religious communities.

> A landmark event

Referring to the conference as a "landmark event", the WCC leadership
reiterated the strengthened commitment of the worldwide fellowship of
Christian churches to interfaith dialogue and understanding.

"Dialogue with other faiths has become a core issue for the WCC,"
confirmed WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. "We can only be
effective and successful in our search for hope if we work together.
Together, we can go far towards restoring hope for another possible and
better world in which all people may experience abundant life in dignity."

The conference organizer and WCC specialist on interfaith issues Rev. Dr
Hans Ucko underlined the specific nature of this event among the many
global multi-faith initiatives. "This event was unique because it sought
to assess dialogue, and looked at ways of fostering relations which are
more realistic and less idealistic. We confirmed the commitment of those
involved, and this adds impetus to our own Christian engagement in
dialogue."

The final report of the conference is to be published shortly, and the WCC
was entrusted with coordinating follow-up to the event.

Speeches, documents and free high resolution photos are available on the
conference website:
http://www.oikoumene.org/interreligious.html

This material may be reprinted freely.

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 347, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.