The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue celebrates its 50th anniversary on Monday.
The council’s objective can be understood in the Lord’s words: “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also,” as this council seeks to bring in these “sheep.”
With the aim of paying attention to those who were without the Christian religion, the dicastery was founded on May 19, 1964, and was instituted with the name “Secretariat for non-Christians” by Pope Paul VI, to be beatified in October, with the Apostolic Letter “Progrediente Concilio.”
The pontifical council will hold a conference on Monday afternoon on the theme “50 Years of Service in Interreligious Dialogue,” which will host the following speakers: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the dicastery; Father Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, secretary; and Father Damian Howard of Heythrop College, London.
The document “Dialogue in Truth and Charity: Pastoral Orientations for Interreligious Dialogue”, which will be published and distributed to those present, offers guidelines for pastors and faithful, based on the concrete indications and experiences of the local churches, to continue along the path of interreligious dialogue. (D.C.L.)
