Customer Reviews

Meeting Other Believers: The Risks and Rewards of Interreligious Dialogue

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We live in a world torn by divisions and tensions based on the plurality of religions and subsequent acts of violence and terror in the name of God. The need for free and frank dialogue among different world religions has never been more compelling. This complex topic gets a forceful presentation in this book by one of the champions of this cause for decades.

Francis Cardinal Arinze who heads the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue of the Catholic Church, offers his personal reflections on the advantages and risks involved in such dialogue. He deals with the questions and concerns that an ordinary Catholic may have about inter-religious dialogue. He gives clear and precise answers to the possible questions and doubts, providing valuable practical guidelines. His honesty, simplicity and clarity of expression make this book an important tool for those engaged in inter-religious dialogue. He is emphatic about the need for mutual respect and understanding among the religions and about the commitment of the Catholic Church to the cause of inter-religious dialogue.

Francis Cardinal Arinze, born and brought up in Nigeria was ordained a priest in 1958 and was appointed Archbishop of Onitsha, Nigeria in 1967. Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals and appointed him the President of the Council for Inter-religious Dialogue in 1985. He travels extensively meeting the leaders of various religions and participating in inter-religious dialogues and conferences. Through this book he provides the basic guidelines for any inter-religious dialogue.

I would highly recommend this fine book to anyone who is interested in mutual understanding and dialogue between religions. Cardinal Arinze writes beautifully, succinctly, and in easy to read text that speaks to our humanity, both spiritually, and culturally. I have ordered this little book for several friends and have lent it out so many times I had to reorder it myself!