Posted on 06/03/2006 3:08:12 PM PDT by NYer
Increasing the Catholic, Muslim dialogue
Speaking in Arabic to open his address to the Western New York Chapter of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec proposed the elevation of the dialogue between the Diocese of Buffalo and the local Muslim community to deal with issues of mutual concern.
"Bismallah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim. I greet you 'In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful,'" the bishop said, quoting from the first line of the Holy Quran to an audience of several hundred at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo on May 20.
Noting that an effective Muslim-Catholic dialogue was encouraged by his predecessor, Archbishop Henry J. Mansell, "and diligently and effectively pursued by the Reverend Francis X. Mazur, the Ecumenical and Interfaith Director of our diocese, in the name of our local Church, " the bishop indicated that he intends to become more involved in the conversation. "What may be new is a more personal and public insertion in the process that I warmly welcome."
Dr. Khalid J. Qazi, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said, "I am delighted and elated that the bishop has embarked on this journey with us. We will make sure that we will be there every step of the way to make sure it is a successful conversation. It will not be short term."
Across the country, similar Muslim-Catholic dialogues have been underway for about a decade. The Mid-West Dialogue published a document in Indianapolis earlier this year on the many areas that Christians and Muslims have in common. "Mutual respect allows Christians and Muslims to form lasting bonds of friendship and to cooperate in projects for the good of society, especially for those who are in great need." Father Mazur and Imam Fajri Ansari were part of that eight year dialogue, which stated, "In an environment of respect, freedom and cooperation, Christians and Muslims are able to enter into a truly inter religious dialogue in which they discuss their faith and through which they enrich and encourage one another through religious insight and practice."
The Mid-Atlantic Dialogue, which evolved from the Mid-West Dialogue, includes Father Mazur, Dr. Qazi and Imam Ansari, is addressing marriage and family living.
The next steps will not be easy, said Dr. Qazi. "The biggest challenges will be time. Most of the (Muslim) community is young. They have professional and family commitments that are very pressing, but I think this is equally important and we will find time. The second challenge will be the naysayers. Fortunately, we are a collection of people moving forward with what we want to do."
Focusing on what Muslims and Catholics have in common, he said, will be a key component to the success of the dialogue. "We are children of Abraham and there should be no difference in the perception of who we pray to. There is no difference in relation to what we want. We want a happy family life, we want a happy community life, and we want to move together for the security of the nation and human race, including the ability to put bread on the table every evening in every house," Dr. Qazi stated.
There are about 25,000 Muslims in the eight counties of Western New York.
The bishop also talked about the involvement of the diocese with the Network of Religious Communities, an inter religious and ecumenical organization of denominations, congregations, and religious organizations that have come together to discuss issues that effect the entire community. Bishop Kmiec extended an invitation to "our local community of Muslims and Catholics, and beyond that, to all religious groups in our geographical confines to build alliances within our diverse community of faith.
"We have a duty to this generation, and many to come, to witness the positive role of faith in public life. Humbled through that faith, we can, with God's help, create a more just and peaceful future for the world we live in."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1639510/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1632530/posts
That is all I have to say regarding the dialogue.
Please do not use potty language or references to potty language on the Religion Forum.
BS is short for Barbra Streisand.
LOLOLOL!
Great...another American bishop exposes himself as an idiot!
Following 9-11 there were scenes like this below all over the Muslim world---and in Lackawanna - next door to Buffalo - there were happy smiling faces at the news of the attacks (I saw them). I do not get the Roman Church honestly...they do things that baffle.
"'Bullseye," said one man in Cairo. In the streets of Nablus on the West Bank, groups of Palestinians handed out sweets. In Gaza, some fired guns in celebration. Others chanted: "Bin Laden, bomb Tel Aviv next!" Women ululated and children cheered. In Cairo and Tehran there were smiles as well as shock."
What is it about bishops from upstate New York?
Hubbard, Clark, and now this guy. Is there something in the water up there?
Surah 76:19--- Allah promises fresh youths to Muslim men.
And round about them shall go youths never altering in age; when you see them you will think them to be scattered pearls.
Is there some link there? I would think that the Roman Church had more pressing issues than making nice with local Muslims.
As for the "water"...Western NY does have a history of shall we say religious fervor...it is called the "burned over district" and has seen many many cults/sects originate there especially during the second great awakening in the early 19th century.
http://history.acusd.edu/gen/civilwar/01/burned.html
Very LOW-mentality BS at that.
Please remember us in your prayers!
Please see post #7.
Prayers offered for the long-suffering Catholics of New York.
I am still disturbed over the strange death of Fr. Minkler. Something is rotten about that whole situation.
When are the muslims going to start calling for religious unity? They seem happy to beat people with the olive branch instead of extending it in peace.
For a later read
Bishop Kmiec, formerly of my fair city, is always ready and pleased to dialogue with Muslims and with dissenting cafeteria Catholics, like those from Voice of the Faithful or Call to Action.
However, from traditional Catholics, he expects unhesitating obedience at all times. Dialogue is not an option!
We were involved in a group opposing the replacement of our parish church by an ugly and incredibly expensive new building. We got a letter from the bishop telling us to cease and desist, and OBEY the pastor. So we switched parishes instead. :-0
Meanwhile, Voice of the Faithful held their meetings at the Cathedral social hall under the bishop's nose. He was okay with that.
But he has no time for orthodox lay groups like Opus Dei.
Can you tell I'm glad he's Buffalo's problem, and not ours?
Shoot.
Does he mean the one true Triune God?
Actually, 'Allah' is the Arabic word for God. There are several Eastern Catholic Churches where the Gospel is read in both English and Arabic. Using the word 'Allah' in reference to God, is not heresy.
And please remember him in your prayers, as well. The sister of a coworker is married to Fr. Minkler's nephew. The family does not believe he committed suicide and have suffered terribly over his untimely death.
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