Dialogue: the challenge of today’s world
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In a troubled world, peace is an increasingly scarce value. Since international organizations are precisely in charge, to a large extent, of avoiding and lowering the tone of so much sterile confrontation, a recent appointment of the Organization of American States (OAS) that involves our country.
On March 19, the OAS appointed peace ambassadors to three Argentine religious leaders: the rabbi Daniel Goldmanthe Catholic priest Guillermo Marco and the Islamic leader Omar Ahmed Abboud. The three ambassadors make up the Interfaith Dialogue Institute (IDI), formally born in Argentina in 2005 as an instrument to combat fundamentalisms and counteract the violence that is exercised in the name of the divine. That institution was a perfect example of how coexistence with different faiths is not only possible but also desirable and enriching. They were new promoters of an ethical and human conversation that also demands a good dose of courage, as numerous confrontations in the world confirm.
Pope Franciscopresent through a video at the OAS headquarters, stated that human beings are obliged to seek “a culture of encounter… an attitude that creates fraternity and surpasses pacts.”
Rabbi Goldman explained that in ancient Hebrew the same word identifies an “ambassador” and an “angel,” both capable of bringing closer. For his part, Abboud brought up the example of an orchestra made up of musicians from diverse and conflictive origins, but capable of accompanying the soloists together. Marcó emphasized the valuable spiritual approach to topics of interest and highlighted that dialogue is healing, with one and with others.
Along the same path, Christian churches gathered in the Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA)chaired by Monsignor Oscar Ojea, in an ecumenical prayer meeting for justice, peace and hope, expressing concern about the increase in divisions, social conflicts and hate speech. The father Carlos White, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Ecumenism and Relations with Judaism, Islam and Religions, was in charge of giving the welcome. Then came Ojea’s reflections; of monsignor Joseph Boschrepresenting the Orthodox, and the pastor Mariel Ponsby evangelicals and Protestants.
The Interreligious Dialogue Institute (IDI) was and is a perfect example of how coexistence with different faiths is not only possible, but also desirable and enriching.
The statement released is an exhortation: “We walk being aware that we do so within a national and global climate in which painful divisions, increasing social conflicts or wars, and dangerous hate speech seem to be exalted.” And they added: “We have learned to value unity in diversity, the richness of dissent, the harmony of different voices, otherness above selfish individualism, the strength of consensus in times of conflict and the culture of fraternal encounter above “anti-culture of disagreement, without diminishing the tradition to which each one is faithful”.
The call of those who, from different spaces, defend the value of peace and dialogue cannot be ignored. Each of us, regardless of race, social or cultural situation, gender or religion, can embody this surpassing vocation that highlights the value of equality and unity. The present demands building bridges and it is seen how difficult this is for many politicians. We must be the citizens, committed in that direction, who demand their best efforts.
It is worth remembering here the text of the ecumenical prayer that has been created to accompany, in our country, the meetings between the different faiths:
“Good God, grant us to renew our minds and hearts by bearing witness to your presence through our actions.
“May we be everything we demand others to be for us.
“That when I lack strength, I can find enthusiasm and joy by being useful to my family, my community, my people and my country, and thus our lives are dignified.
“Let us keep in mind that you change the situation of a people only when they change themselves.”
THE NATION
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