by Mike James
The General Assembly of the UN meets from September in New York each year, when world leaders take the opportunity to address key issues for promoting world peace and development. This year in his address to the UN Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican secretary for relations with states reminded the world’s nations that genuine dialogue is the only path to peace in the world, and particularly for resolving critical issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the total elimination of nuclear arms, and ethnic conflicts worldwide.
He added that the “undeniable good that the United Nations Organisation represents for the whole of humanity” cannot be fully realised without inter-governmental and societal dialogue.
“However, to be sincere and fully effective, this dialogue must really be dia-logos — exchange of wisdom and shared wisdom,” the Archbishop stressed. “To dialogue does not mean only to listen to the aspirations and interests of other parties and to try to find compromises,” but it “must pass rapidly from exchange of words and the search for balance between opposite interests to a real sharing of wisdom for the common good.”
The Archbishop’s message echoed a major theme of Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit to the UK. Speaking in a forum with the broadest of representation of religious faiths and social concerns, including Anglicans, other Protestants, Hindus, Muslims and Jews, the Pope urged, “This kind of dialogue needs to take place on a number of different levels, and should not be limited to formal discussions. The dialogue of life involves simply living alongside one another and learning from one another in such a way as to grow in mutual knowledge and respect. The dialogue of action brings us together in concrete forms of collaboration, as we apply our religious insights to the task of promoting integral human development, working for peace, justice and the stewardship of creation. Such a dialogue may include exploring together how to defend human life at every stage and how to ensure the non-exclusion of the religious dimension of individuals and communities in the life of society. Then at the level of formal conversations, there is a need not only for theological exchange, but also sharing our spiritual riches, speaking of our experience of prayer and contemplation, and expressing to one another the joy of our encounter with divine love.” And he concluded, “My dear friends let me assure you that the Catholic Church follows the path of engagement and dialogue out of a genuine sense of respect for you and your beliefs. Catholics, both in Britain and throughout the world, will continue to work to build bridges of friendship to other religions, to heal past wrongs and to foster trust between individuals and communities.”
Pope Benedict and Archbishop Mamberti point the way clearly for Christians and all those of good will. “We will continue to work to build bridges of friendship to other religions, to heal past wrongs and to foster trust between individuals and communities.” Clearly, for Christians, charity must and does begin at home. We cannot expect politicians to heal past wrongs and foster trust between individuals and communities, unless people of faith are prepared to offer a clear and committed example. Genuine dialogue, transparent participation and mutual respect in family, in parish communities are a challenge. Society, however, can expect nothing less of Christians.
