베네딕토 16세께선 9월 25일 카스텔 간돌포에서 교황청 주재 회교국 대사들과 이스람 지도자들과 만난 자리에서 “기독교와 회교의 대화는 평화와 형제애로 가득 찬 미래 세계 건설을 위해 꼭 필요하다고 말씀하시며, 양 종교는 하느님의 가르침에 배치되는 불관용, 특히 종교에 대한 무시, 냉대, 냉담 태도에 맞서고 온갖 형태의 폭력을 거부하며, 인간의 존엄성 수호와 증진 노력에 힘을 합쳐야 한다”고 역설하셨다.

아래는 이날 모임에서의 교황님 말씀 요약이다:

“상대주의와 초월적이며 보편적인 이성의 배제로 특징지어지는 현 세대에, 종교, 문화간 대화, 특히 유일 신을 믿고 있는 기독교와 회교간의 대화가 시급하며 더욱 발전되어야 한다.

“여러 종교들이 공통적으로 지니고 있는 가치를 파악하는 한편으로, 서로간의 차이점들을 존중하는 가운데 이루어져야 하는 이 같은 대화는 모든 선의의 사람들이 갈망하는 평화와 형제애로 가득 찬 세계를 함께 이룩하는데 꼭 필요하다.

“종교인들, 특히 기독교인들과 회교도들은 각각 자신들 종교의 전통적 가르침에 충실하면서도, 힘을 합쳐 온갖 종류의 불관용에 맞서고 온갖 형태의 폭력 형태를 반대할 수 있어야 한다.

“이러한 대화와 형제애 가운데, 회교도들과 기독교인들이 수행해야 할 공동 과제들 중 하나는 인간의 존엄성 그리고 이에 수반되는 인권을 수호하고 증진하는 일이다. 하느님께선 모든 사람들이 자신이 그들에게 부여해준 존엄가운데 살기를 원하시는 바, 인간과 평화에 대한 위협이 가중되고 있는 현 시대에 인간의 가장 중요한 특성인 인간의 존엄성을 께달아 알아, 인간이 존엄가운데 삶을 이어가고 있는지 지속적으로 주의를 기울여 살펴나가는 것이 회교도들, 기독교들 모두에 있어 창조주 하느님께 대한 순명을 증명하는 길이다.”

Pope Says Dialogue With Islam Vital for Future

Meets With Muslim Leaders and Diplomats

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 25, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI met with Muslim leaders of Italy and diplomats from 21 Islamic countries and stressed that the dialogue between Christians and Muslims is decisive for the future of humanity.

The Pope said he called today's meeting to "strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the Holy See and Muslim communities throughout the world," in the wake of controversy over his Sept. 12 address at the University of Regensburg in Germany. The Arab-language broadcaster Al-Jazeera carried the papal speech live.

"In this particular context, I should like to reiterate today all the esteem and the profound respect that I have for Muslim believers," said the Holy Father.

He recalled the Second Vatican Council declaration "Nostra Aetate," which expresses officially the Church's "appreciation" for Muslims who "worship the one God."

Benedict XVI's address, delivered in French, was also distributed among the diplomats in an Arabic translation, in addition to the English and Italian versions.

The Pope did not address the issue of the interpretations of his address at Regensburg. On two occasions last week he clarified his quotation from the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus as a means to present the problem of the relationship between religion and violence. The quotation sparked violence and drew criticism from some Muslims.

To dispel doubts, the Holy Father said that "I have had occasion, since the very beginning of my pontificate, to express my wish to continue establishing bridges of friendship with the adherents of all religions, showing particular appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians."

Not an option

"Interreligious and intercultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is, in fact, a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends," Benedict XVI said. Thus he confirmed what he explained on Aug. 20, 2005, in Cologne, Germany, when meeting with representatives of Muslim communities.

He continued: "In a world marked by relativism and too often excluding the transcendence and universality of reason, we are in great need of an authentic dialogue between religions and between cultures, capable of assisting us, in a spirit of fruitful cooperation, to overcome all the tensions together.

"Continuing, then, the work undertaken by my predecessor, Pope John Paul II, I sincerely pray that the relations of trust which have developed between Christians and Muslims over several years, will not only continue, but will develop further in a spirit of sincere and respectful dialogue."

This dialogue, Benedict XVI added, must be "based on ever more authentic reciprocal knowledge which, with joy, recognizes the religious values that we have in common and, with loyalty, respects the differences. Interreligious and intercultural dialogue is a necessity for building together this world of peace and fraternity ardently desired by all people of good will.

"Faithful to the teachings of their own religious traditions, Christians and Muslims must learn to work together, as indeed they already do in many common undertakings, in order to guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence; as for us, religious authorities and political leaders, we must guide and encourage them in this direction."

Among the common challenges faced by Muslims and Christians, the Holy Father mentioned "the defense and promotion of the dignity of the human person and of the rights ensuing from that dignity."

He added: "When threats mount up against people and against peace, by recognizing the central character of the human person and by working with perseverance to see that human life is always respected, Christians and Muslims manifest their obedience to the Creator, who wishes all people to live in the dignity that he has bestowed upon them."