THE DIALOGUE OF SPIRITUALITY FROM ECCLESIAM SUAM TO POPE FRANCIS

A Tree That Has To Become a Forest

Authors

  • Timothy Wright University of Lampeter

Keywords:

Benedict XVI, Dialogue, John Paul II, Paul VI, Spirituality

Abstract

The article critically examines the developments in Catholic-Muslim dialogue since the publication of Ecclesiam suam of Pope Paul, which inaugurated a new era of dialogue among Christian churches, religions and the world. The author presents a dialogue of spirituality that could bring the two communities to come closer together. In a creative way he presents how Pope Paul VI sows seeds, Pope John Paul II cultivates the sapling into a tree, and Pope Benedict XVI prunes the tree, and he hopes that Pope Francis would revive the tree and enlarge it to a forest. Undivided love for one God and charity towards one's neighbour are the characteristic of both Islam and Christianity. Though there are differences of faith and worship, both Muslims and Christians can pray together and enhance Catholic-Muslim relations.

Author Biography

Timothy Wright, University of Lampeter

Dom Timothy Wright was a Benedictine monk of Ampleforth Abbey from 1962 until his death in 2018, and had been its Abbot from 19972005. During his abbacy the Abbey hosted a number of meeting with Catholic and Shia experts in theology and spirituality. In 2012 he was also awarded a Doctorate by the University of Lampeter, for his thesis "Using an expanded concept of ‘Spiritual Memory’ might it be possible to develop a new form of ‘Benedictine’ community dedicated to dialogue with Islam?", a work later published in book form under the title No Peace without Prayer. Abbot Timothy subsequently worked as delegate for the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation in developing monastic inter-religious dialogue. He also worked with the Manquehue Apostolic Movement in Chile. He also taught at Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois, while living at St Procopius Monastery. In 2017, he received a special award from the President of Iran for his contribution to the inter-religious dialogue between Catholics and Shi’a Muslims.

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Published

2018-12-31

How to Cite

Wright, T. (2018). THE DIALOGUE OF SPIRITUALITY FROM ECCLESIAM SUAM TO POPE FRANCIS: A Tree That Has To Become a Forest. Journal of Dharma, 43(4), 373–390. Retrieved from https://dvkjournals.in/index.php/jd/article/view/284

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 4 (2018): Journal of Dharma

Section

Articles