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The Church and Interreligious Relations

(Source: USCCB)


Judaism

U.S. membership: Approximately four million

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops maintains consultations with the following Jewish groups:

Consultation with the National Council of Synagogues
Date established: October 1987
Frequency of meetings: twice yearly
NCS Co-Chairman: Rabbi Joel Zaiman, Baltimore
Catholic Co-Chairman: Cardinal William Keeler

Consultation with the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America
Date established: 1987
Frequency of meetings: once each year
Jewish Co-Chairman: Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld
Catholic Co-Chairman: Bishop William F. Murphy

Key topics of discussion in recent years: Education, liturgy, and conflict resolution.

During the April 17, 2008 meeting, a Jewish young adult will present Pope Benedict XVI with a silver menorah. A menorah with its seven lights represents the tradition of Temple worship within Judaism. It is also a symbol of the perennial validity of the covenant between God and Israel, the purpose of which is to establish peace rooted in creation itself. Silver is the metal preferred for liturgical use in Eastern European Jewish tradition.


Islam

U.S. membership: Six to eight million

Dialogue between Catholics and Muslims takes place in three regionally based dialogues:

Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
Date established: 1996
Frequency of meetings: once each year
Muslim Chairman: Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed (Islamic Society of North America)
Catholic Chairman: Bishop Francis R. Reiss

Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
Date established: 1998
Frequency of meetings: once each year
Muslim Chairman: Dr. Khurshid Khan (Islamic Circle of North America)
Catholic Chairman: Bishop Denis Madden

West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
Date established: 1999
Frequency of meetings: once each year
Muslim Chairmen: Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi and Imam Mustafa Al-Qazwini
Catholic Chairman: Bishop Carlos A. Sevilla, SJ

Key topics of discussion in recent years: Comparative Scripture narrative, revelation, human dignity, virtues and values, marriage, and religious education.

During the April 17, 2008, meeting, a Muslim young adult will present Pope Benedict XVI with a special edition of the Qur'an. The Qur'an is believed by Muslims to be the revealed word of God, always to be treated with reverence. Perfect faithfulness to God's revelation is believed to bring perfect peace to all humanity. This small, devotional edition of the Qur'an in green leather with gold edging reflects a traditional Islamic design and color scheme.


Buddhism

U.S. membership: Approximately 1.5 million

Dialogue between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Buddhists in the United States takes place through the Northern California Ch'an/Zen -Catholic Dialogue.
Date established: 2003
Frequency of meetings: once each year
Buddhist Chairpersons: Rev. Heng Sure (Dharma Realm Buddhist Association) and Rev. Shosan Victoria Austin (San Francisco Zen Center)
Catholic Chairman: Bishop John C. Wester

Key topics of discussion in recent years: Religious commitment, spirituality, and spiritual maturity.

During the April 17, 2008, meeting, a Buddhist young adult will present Pope Benedict XVI with a fine cast metal bell. Such bells are used to demarcate the times of meditation practice in all Buddhist traditions. Through meditation, the Buddhist practitioner attains spiritual insight into the nature of the mind and of all things, and thus finds peace.


Hinduism

U.S. membership: Approximately 1.8 million

Dialogue between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Hindus in the United States takes place informally through group of Christian and Vaishnava scholars.
Date established: 1998
Frequency of meetings: once each year

Key topics of discussion in recent years: Theology and spirituality.

During the April 17, 2008, meeting, a Hindu young adult will present Pope Benedict XVI with a gift of the sacred syllable Om in brass sculpture. Hindus believe that Om is the primordial sound of creation itself, in which God is disclosed and where the worshipper experiences peace. Bronze or brass are widely used for Hindu liturgical ornaments. Flames and incense in the sculpture represent ritual worship in a Hindu temple.


Jainism

U.S. membership: Approximately 100,000

While the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has no formal dialogue with the Jain community, dialogue takes place informally through religious peace initiatives such as Religions for Peace-USA.

Key topics of discussion in recent years: World peace, conflict resolution, and post 9/11 community relations.

During the April 17, 2008, meeting, a Jain young adult will present Pope Benedict XVI with a calligraphic image from their Scripture representing the Jain approach to peace.