Understanding other religions

“To know one’s religion is to know none” declared Friedrich Max Muller, the 19th century founder of comparative religion.

This thought-provoking statement opened the talk on Comparative Religions jointly presented by Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap (pic) and Br Joseph Gomez at the Holy Family Church on May 20.

The talk highlighted areas of commonalities shared with other faiths and how to build bridges of mutual understanding and respect while keeping their own Christian identity intact. At the same time, both speakers introduced the audience to Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, 1965), the landmark encyclical from the Second Vatican Council which has paved the way for interfaith dialogue.

The two-hour talk provided a better understanding of this document and its significance in our times. The Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (PMEIA) teams of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras and Holy Family Church, Kajang, jointly organised this event.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online