RAWANG (July 18) --- Parishioners of the Church of St Jude, Rawang, attended two sessions conducted by Rev Fr Michael Chua, Ecclesiastical Assistant of Archdiocesan Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (AMEIA). At the 8 am Sunday morning mass, Rev Fr Leonard John, the parish priest of St Jude, explained the importance of interreligious dialogue for the Catholic Church and particularly in the Malaysian context. He also shared his personal vision of wanting to see some concrete steps and activities arising from today's sessions.
The first talk focused on the relationship of Christians with peoples of other beliefs. Fr Chua introduced the parishioners to the Catholic Church's theology of religion, i.e. how the Church views itself in relation to other religions. He also gave several examples of how ordinary Christians can engage in interreligious dialogue, namely under 4 large categories: dialogue of life, dialogue of action, dialogue theological discourse and dialogue of religious experience.
During the second talk which took place after the 11 am Sunday morning mass, Fr Chua gave concrete steps on how Christians may initiate bridge-building with peoples of other beliefs. He spoke about the dual importance of creating space and respecting space. Then taking the model of Jesus in his encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4), Fr Chua elucidated the principles necessary for dialogue.
The second session also saw the participation of a Hindu. At the end of the session, the participants were also treated to a personal sharing of dialogue of life and action from this non-Catholic participant.
At the end of the programme, many parishioners (including some youth) expressed their strong desire and commitment to have a follow-up to today's sessions. An ad-hoc committee will be set up at the parish level to facilitate further discussions with AMEIA on future projects relating to interreligious and ecumenical matters.
The first talk focused on the relationship of Christians with peoples of other beliefs. Fr Chua introduced the parishioners to the Catholic Church's theology of religion, i.e. how the Church views itself in relation to other religions. He also gave several examples of how ordinary Christians can engage in interreligious dialogue, namely under 4 large categories: dialogue of life, dialogue of action, dialogue theological discourse and dialogue of religious experience.
During the second talk which took place after the 11 am Sunday morning mass, Fr Chua gave concrete steps on how Christians may initiate bridge-building with peoples of other beliefs. He spoke about the dual importance of creating space and respecting space. Then taking the model of Jesus in his encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4), Fr Chua elucidated the principles necessary for dialogue.
The second session also saw the participation of a Hindu. At the end of the session, the participants were also treated to a personal sharing of dialogue of life and action from this non-Catholic participant.
At the end of the programme, many parishioners (including some youth) expressed their strong desire and commitment to have a follow-up to today's sessions. An ad-hoc committee will be set up at the parish level to facilitate further discussions with AMEIA on future projects relating to interreligious and ecumenical matters.
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