We live in a world of diverse cultures and religious beliefs. Humanity is becoming increasingly intercultural and interreligious. Human societies have developed in different directions: different cultures and, consequently, different ways of naming God and things. Multireligious and multicultural awareness has been rapidly heightened by communication, population mobility and the growing interdependence between peoples. This awakening to diversity prompts us Christians not only to ask questions, but also to affirm our faith and way of living, and most importantly, to relate to those we consider different from ourselves. From the beginning, Christianity has been aware of Jewish communities and other religious confessions.
The questions are: how can we promote universal values, that transcend cultural and religious differences in the light of the Gospel and foster an environment conducive to peaceful coexistence and collaboration of diverse communities?
What do we mean by intercultural dialogue and interreligious dialogue?
Generally speaking, dialogue is a conversation between people who, despite their differences, seek to establish a relationship. It is an exchange between two or more people who seek to share their life experiences. This is based on the principle that humans are relational beings. Intercultural dialogue is, therefore, a conversation between two or more people from different cultures. Showing interest in learning the other person’s language is already an element of intercultural dialogue. We look for common ways of describing God and things. Interreligious dialogue is an exchange between people of different faiths who seek to relate to each other and share their life experiences despite their religious differences.
As witnesses to God’s love, how can we address the issue of intercultural and interreligious dialogue?
My experience as a stagaire in Savelugu between 2009 and 2011 was a profound lesson in interreligious dialogue, inspired by the actions of Jesus, the man from Nazareth and a Jew, as depicted in John’s Gospel, chapter 4:1-15. The Gospel tells us that, before Jesus engaged in dialogue with the Samaritan woman, he expressed a need: water. This dialogue was made possible, because Jesus took the initiative to address the woman’s needs. In doing so, Jesus initiated a dialogue that was both intercultural and interreligious. In Savelugu, I realised the need to learn the local language to truly connect with the people. I took the initiative to get in touch with the local community and was warmly welcomed by a family who hosted me for three months, helping me learn Dagbanili, the local language.
Our regular meetings led to the need for a football pitch for the youngsters, which opened up dialogue between the Missionaries of Africa community working in Savelugu and its neighbours. Today, many young people from neighbouring communities use the pitch. We can enter into intercultural and interreligious dialogue by reaching out to others and expressing a human need. This dialogue must be embraced with an attitude of openness and non-judgement. Adopting this attitude will help prepare us for the dialogue. When Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for water, he knew there were social prohibitions between Jews and Samaritans. Yet he adopted an attitude of freedom that went beyond culture and gender. He showed he was free of hostility while remaining focused on what was essential: entering into conversation with the person, in this case, the Samaritan woman.
In the light of the Gospel, how can we promote universal values that transcend cultural and religious differences?
The remarkable thing about Jesus, as we read the Gospels, is how important the person is to him. His daily struggle on behalf of the people, especially the marginalised and the poor, is evident. His ministry is always about the person, the disciples, the crowd, friends, and enemies. He is always interested in those who are not Jews, those who are not part of the chosen people. His parables and encounters with non-Jews should help us promote dialogue with others from different religious traditions. We see Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:1-15) as mentioned above; he admires the faith of a Gentile (Mt 8:10); and there are many other encounters.
As we pointed out, we are disciples following in Jesus’ footsteps. Imitating Jesus helps us to go beyond the religious barriers we face. In 1984, Pope John Paul II declared that ‘dialogue (interreligious dialogue) is fundamental for the Church, which is called to collaborate in God’s plan by ways of presence, respect and love for all people’. As Christians following Christ, the example of the Trinity is the foundation of the need for a Church in communion with dialogue. We understand that we must commit ourselves to praising others while at the same time engaging in dialogue with other religious confessions.
Like Jesus of Nazareth, we will break down barriers, practise tolerance and patience, commit ourselves to the liberation of humankind and realise fraternity in the face of the unique fatherhood of God. As Gustavo Gutierrez says in his book The Theology of Liberation, ‘Man is destined for total communion with God and the most complete fraternity with other men’. So, we need to listen and make room for others. We should not try to make others like us but recognise and accept differences.
By: Gaspard Cirimwami, M.Afr.