Catholicism and Islam

Hi Folks!

This week's meeting topic will focus on interreligious dialogue among Catholics and non-Christians. The main point of discussion will be our relationship with Islam.

I'm sure that you may all be familiar with Pope Benedict's quotation from a 14th Century text about Islam in a speech from September 12, 2006: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." But, how many people read the rest of the speech?

Benedict certainly apologized for making the remarks and made clear that the remarks did not reflect his personal opinion. Still, many are left wondering how, as a Catholic, we should understand our relationship with the Mulsim world?

We will take a look and dicuss the document Nostra Aetate, the Vatican II document that outlines the church's relationship with non-Christian religious. In addition to that document we will also discuss what other popes have said about Islam. We will also look at some of the positive outcomes following the Regensburg lecture.

With this in mind, we look forward to a spirited discussion on Catholic and Muslim relations at Delaney's from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday, August 6!