AMMAN, Jordan, MAY 20, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue just completed its first colloquium with the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies.
The colloquium on the theme «Religion and Civil Society» took place in Amman, beginning Monday and ending today, a press release from the council reported.
The delegation from the Holy See was led by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the council, while the institute delegation was led its director, Ambassador Hasan Abu Nimah.
The institute was established in 1994 to provide a venue in the Arab world for the study of religious issues, particularly with reference to Christianity in Arab and Islamic society.
The concluding address of the conference, given by Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan and Cardinal Tauran, president of the council, presented the colloquium’s points of agreement.
The council reported that «participants agreed on the importance of civil society for a sound and integral development of individuals and communities» in particular as a forum for dialogue on the «responsible exercise of freedom.»
Colloquium participants underlined the importance of «educating youth in the values of mutual respect and in the culture of dialogue, rejecting violence, so as to promote peaceful coexistence on the basis of full citizenship.»
Participants agreed on the «relevance of democracy and the rule of law in a State that respects ethnic, cultural and religious diversities and implements equality among citizens.»
They concurred on the important role that religion plays in society, by motivating people to contribute to the common good.
The participants announced the plan to hold the next colloquium in Rome within the next two years, on a theme that will be decided in a preparatory meeting.
