Friars Minor Set Up an Interreligious Committee in Brussels

BRUSSELS, Belgium, JAN. 29, 2003 (Zenit.org).- An interreligious committee comprising Christians, Muslims and Jews in Belgium has been established in “Our Lady of the Nations” Fraternity of the Friars Minor.

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The committee’s charter includes the promotion of values of mutual respect, human dignity, compassion, solidarity and universal fraternity among all people.

The committee rejects violence and war as a means to solve conflicts and is committed to work for rapprochement, peace and harmony among the various religious communities in Belgium.

A fraternal meeting last January in the Chant d’Oiseau convent was followed by other gatherings, and eventually there was a desire to establish an organized group.

At a meeting in December, the participants appointed eight representatives from the three religions to constitute the first operational nucleus.

The founding group is composed of five Muslims of the Moroccan and Turkish communities, two Franciscans (Sister Hile Vantomme and Friar Vincenzo Brocanelli), and a Jew, who is honorary president of the Consistory of Brussels.

The group’s coordination was entrusted to Friar Brocanelli, assisted by secretary Ait-Baala Latifa. Each member has assumed the responsibility for the following sectors of action: youth, women, reflection and communication.

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