About Christian - Muslim Relations
Rationale
Building better relations between people from different religions is one of the biggest challenges facing today's world. Throughout history people have experienced God in many different ways and have expressed this spiritual dimension of their lives in a variety of cultural and religious systems.
Interreligious dialogue engages this rich human heritage with profound respect for what the Holy Spirit has brought about in people, and for the freedom and ingenuity of the peoples' responses to God's constant invitation to life and happiness.
Interreligious dialogue promotes mutual understanding - learning from each others' experience, correcting misunderstandings, and cooperating for the common good of society. Where the motivating power of religion has been mis-used to fuel conflicts between people, interreligious dialogue seeks to recover the authentic teaching and practice of the religion, heal the hurts that have been inflicted, and promote reconciliation.
Although Christians and Muslims share many beliefs and practices, our long history of association has often been marred by conflict. The geo-political impact of Christianity and Islam - together comprising half the world's population - have made relations between these two groups of believers a particular and urgent challenge. In the words of Hans Küng:
- No peace among the nations without peace among the religions.
- No peace among the religions without dialogue between the religions.
- No dialogue between the religions without investigation of the foundations of the religions.
Activities
In line with church's teaching on inter-religious dialogue, the staff of the Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations works towards closer relationships among the faith traditions. Our specific focus is the relationship between Christians and Muslims, which we promote through a variety of activities:
- Organising conferences, seminars and activities to enable Christians and Muslims to meet each other and learn about the others' belief and practices.
- Networking with Inter-faith and Multi-faith groups, especially those including Muslims and Muslim associations.
- Co-ordinating a network of Christian women who wish to develop stronger relations with Muslim women.
- Providing speakers and conducting workshops.
- Consultancy and providing resources to individuals and groups.
- Conducting research.
- Holding small but quality resources on Islam and Interreligious Dialogue.
- Publishing Occasional Papers, our quarterly newsletter Bridges and providing input for Columban Mission Society publications Staff.
Catholic Teaching on Interreligious Relations Resources order form
Columban books:
 |
Ten things everyone needs to know about Islam - This small 29 page booklet is an extract from 'What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam' book and presents Professor John L. Esposito's answers to the ten most burning questions that are on everyone’s mind.
Written by Professor John L. Esposito Order online now |
 |
The Catholic ChurchThis brochure introduces the life, beliefs, practices and spirituality of Catholic Christians. It is written especially to introduce the Catholic Church to believers from other religions, but it can also be used for Christians from other churches, as well as for anyone who wants to find out what the Catholic Church believes and teaches. Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the twenty page brochure presents the key elements of Catholic identity and teaching in summary form. It also gives reference to official Catholic sources where enquirers can find more detailed information on the Catholic Church.Download order form for The Catholic Church |
Contact details
Rev Dr Patrick Mclnerney
Postal Address :
Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations
Columban Mission Institute
c/- Australian Catholic University
Locked Bag 2002
Strathfield, NSW, 2135
Phone:+ 61 2 9352 8013
Facsimile: + 61 2 9746 8033
Email: cmr.cmi@columban.org.au
