From September 23 to 30, an international group of 12 Catholic theologians met at lzumi Sano (Osaka) for a "frank and friendly exchange of views" on how Catholics can more effectively dialogue with persons of other religions.

The intent of the meeting was to enable a conversation between the differing Catholic views about dialogue and other religions and thus, possibly, to achieve a less divided Catholic theology of religions and practice of dialogue.

Organized by the Shinmeizan Centerfor Interreligious Dialogue and sponsored by the Japan Province of the Xaverian Missionaries, the meeting brought together well-known theologians from Italy, England, India. Switzerland, and the United States to meet with Catholic ministers and theologians working in Japan.

Representing views from across the Catholic theological spectrum, the group sought to explore a theology of religions and of dialogue that would enable both an honest witness to Christian values and beliefs and an authentic openness to the values and beliefs of other religions.

The structure of the meeting combined frank and often pointed discussion of contrasting ideas with shared meals, outings, and daily liturgies and prayer.

Some of the issues in the discussions included:

* Why dialogue with others is today understood as an integral part of living Catholic faith.
* The need to learn from others in order more deeply to understand oneself.
* How to speak of the uniqueness of Christ and the Gospel without implying arrogance.
* To explore the implications of mission and dialogue according to the Catholic tradition.
* How to relate interreligious dialogue to the pressing issues of our times such as poverty, injustice, and violence fostered in the name of religion.

After their days together, the participants recognized that the need to dialogue openly and respectfully with other religions is calling Catholic theologians to the same kind of dialogue among themselves.

For further information, contact: Fr. Franco Sottocornola, semeizan @ gold . ocn .ne jp