Catholic Church in Spain establishes department for Islamic dialogue
A new church structure is intended to strengthen relationships with Muslims and accompany pastoral challenges.
The Catholic Church in Spain has decided to establish its own department for relations with Islam. The Permanent Council of the Spanish Bishops' Conference made the corresponding decision to strengthen interreligious dialogue in light of the growing Muslim population in the country. This was reported by Domradio. The new department will be part of a subcommission of the Bishops' Conference for interconfessional relations and interreligious dialogue. Its tasks include, among others, preparing priests and laypeople for encounters and conversations with Muslims, as well as providing pastoral support for people in Christian-Muslim marriages.
Furthermore, the institution is to develop materials for catechesis and pastoral care, for example for people who convert from Islam to Christianity. According to Islamic organizations, around 2.5 million Muslims live in Spain, which corresponds to about five percent of the population, particularly in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Melilla.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a DNA test called into question alleged "tears of blood" from Trevignano.
