In Asia, Pope backs interfaith backs interfaith dialogue -- with a ‘but’

[rug]

Pope Francis smiled after getting a garland from a child as he arrived for an interfaith meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

By John L. Allen Jr.
Associate editor | January 13, 2015

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Visiting a nation torn apart for 30 years by a civil war that pit Buddhists against Hindus and Muslims, with Christians both bystanders and sometimes victims, Pope Francis was expected to have something important to say about interfaith relationships.

He delivered that Tuesday in Sri Lanka, telling a cross-section of the country’s religious leaders that harmony among different faiths is critical, but it cannot come at the expense of the distinctive identity of each.

Citing the teachings of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), Francis said that the Catholic Church has a “deep and abiding respect for other religions.”

Speaking in English, Francis reprised what has become an emerging theme: The effort to deny legitimacy to anyone who uses religion to justify brutality. He said “religious beliefs must never be allowed to be abused in the cause of violence and war.”

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/01/13/in-asia-pope-backs-interfaith-dialogue-with-a-but/

[Htom Sirveaux]

1. I think I disagree with the Pope on this point:

“A yoga session can’t teach a heart to feel the paternity of God,” he said, “and a course in Zen spirituality can’t make it freer to love.”

Yoga could well lead someone to a greater realization of the closeness of the ultimate, regardless of the particular words or images used to express that closeness, and Zen could free one from many obstacles, creating more energy and motivation to give to love.