By Tom Heneghan, Reuters, Jordan Times
BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN – Only five years ago, critical remarks by Pope Benedict about Islam sparked off violent protests in several Muslim countries.Never very good, relations between the world’s two largest religions sank to new lows in modern times.
Last week, while protesters in the Arab world were demanding democracy and civil rights, Catholics and Muslims met along the Jordan River for frank and friendly talks about their differences and how to get beyond their misunderstandings.
The Muslim-Catholic Forum, which grew out of the tensions following Benedict’s speech in the German city of Regensburg, was overshadowed by events in Egypt, Yemen and Syria.
The lack of any dramatic news here reflected the progress the two sides have made since 2006.
“We have passed from formal dialogue to a dialogue between friends,” Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Vatican’s department for interfaith dialogue, said at the conference held near the Jordan River site believed to be where Jesus was baptised. http://jordantimes.com/?news=43695
“We realised that we have a common heritage,” he added.
Recalling the strains that prompted Muslims to suggest a dialogue in 2007, HRH Prince Ghazi said: “Since then, despite some misunderstandings, I dare say the general Muslim-Catholic ambiance has ameliorated considerably.”
Categories: Asia, CHRISTIANITY, Islam, Jordan