Bishops advocated for deepened Christian-Muslim dialogue
German Bishops' Conference called for a differentiated approach to Islam and for greater cooperation.
During the spring plenary assembly of the German Bishops' Conference in Würzburg, religious scholars and Catholic Church representatives advocated for intensifying dialogue between Christians and Muslims. This could make an important contribution to preventing religiously motivated extremism. While Islamist-justified violence poses a serious threat to society, there should be no blanket suspicion of all Muslims. This was reported by Evanglisch.de. In a newly presented guide on relations between Christians and Muslims, the Church advocates for a differentiated and appreciative approach to Islam, which forms the second-largest religious community in Germany. The paper aims to make Islam as a religious reality more understandable and to counter clichés that indiscriminately associate the faith community with violence or terror.
At the same time, the participants acknowledged that relations between religious communities are not tension-free. In times of international conflicts, however, the churches could act as mediators. Projects such as joint offerings in emergency pastoral care, involving Christians and Muslims, showed that local cooperation can build trust and strengthen social cohesion.
Previously, UOJ reported that the OCU has taken over additional shrines in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
