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Interreligious Guidelines for the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Table of Contents

Introduction #

  1. The term “interreligious” refers to the relationship that the Roman Catholic Church has with religions that are not a part of the Christian tradition. (1)
  2. In 1965, Roman Catholic bishops gathered at the Second Vatican Council and they published an important document entitled, Declaration on the  Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra Aetate). This document acknowledges that Non-Christian religions not only search for answers to the “mysteries of the human condition” but they also understand there is a “hidden power” directing them to do what is good and right. The following positive statement is made by the bishops in this document:
    The Catholic Church ” looks with sincere respect upon those ways of conduct and of life, those rules and teachings which, though differing in many particulars from what she holds and sets forth, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men” (N.A. 1 & 2) (2)
  3. Tribal, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Islamic religious traditions are specifically mentioned. However, the document points out that a special relationship exists between Christians, Jews and Muslims a relationship based on a common belief in God revealed through Abraham, the Patriarchs, the prophets and Jesus Christ.
    Interreliqious Dialogue In General
  4. The Secretariat for Non-Christians (now designated the Pontifical
    Council for Dialogue among Religions) was established in 1964 to promote dialogue and communication with all world religions so “that non-Christians come to be known honestly and esteemed justly by Christians, and that inturn non-Christians can adequately know ‘and esteem Christian doctrine and life.” (3) In dialogue, Catholics must never compromise on the uniqueness and the fullness of God’s divine revelation in Jesus Christ.
  5. The motive and ultimate aim of interreligious dialogue is to foster a respect for and an .understanding of the richness and the integrity of other religious traditions. .”Ial-such a task,” Augustin-Cardinal-Baa.aautiaaswe must proceed with prudence, but also with mutual trust and with charity”. (4)
  6. The final result of such dialogue is the elimination of discrimination against men and women or harassment of them because of their race, color, condition of life or religion. (NA, 5) In effect, it becomes a vital tool in helping “all peoples” realize that they are “a single community” – one in origin, one in destiny. (NA.1) (5)
  7. True interreligious dialogue always appreciates the differences between the religions, and it repudiates the blending of diverse traditions into a uniform religious experience (homogenization). , To dialogue does not mean to give up or dilute the fundamental teachings of the Christian tradition in a humanistic philosophy; nor does it mean demoting Christianity from the status of a universal faith to a “culture religion” relevant only in its own cultural and historical situation.
  8. Dialogue is not debate. In dialogue, both partners must listen to each other as openly and sympathetically in an attempt to understand the other’s position as precisely as possible. (6)
  9. Dialogue is an attempt to heal relationships. This implies, then, that a high priority is placed on knowing important sensitive issues. A lack of an appreciation about these sensitivities can greatly inhibit the growth of trust and friendship.
  10. Following the guidance of the Second Vatican Council, the Secretaria for Non-Christians and the personal leadership of Pope John Paul II in Assisi, October 27, 1986, and in Los Angeles, September 16, 1987, the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of San Francisco encourages dialogue with other religions, in the Bay Area. (7)
    Interreligious Dialogue in the Archdiocese.
  11. This Archdiocesan Ecumenical Commission maintains contact with local non-Christian religions through the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs located at the Chancery. This Office makes special efforts to maintain close ties with local Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu communities.
  12. The Ecumenical Commission is an advisory body of fifteen members, who together with the Commission Chair are appointed by the Archbishop and directly answerable to him. The. Ecumenical Office is responsible on a full-time basis for all matters of ecumenical and interreligious activites, information and research, as well as problems pertaining to ecumenical and interreligious activities within the Archdiocese, subject to the Archbishop.
  13. The San Francisco Bay Area has a relatively large representation of non-Christian religions. There are many opportunities for Catholic parishes, schools, retreat centers and hospitals to encounter these religious communities. Membership in local interreligious (interfaith) cotincils, which consider specific social and environmental issues confronting society today, is recommended.
  14. The Ecumenical Commission, through its office, is available to provide help and resources to all Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese preparing interreligious programs. It must be recalled that great care should be taken when preparing such programs.
  15. The advice of the Ecumenical Commission/Office should be sought
    whenever plans for formal or informal agreements/contracts are made by a Catholic institution either to rent or to lend their facilities to other religions. Special care should be taken that these facilities are not used by other religious groups to seek new members.
  16. A practical moment for interreligious dialogue in Archdiocesan parishes occurs when a Catholic and a non-Christian wi