RELIGIOUS PLURALISM AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCHNostra Aetate

Pluralism and Salvation• Discuss: Is religious diversity in the modern world a gift?• The Catholic Church believes in interfaith dialogue while still

proclaiming the truth of Jesus.• The Church did not always react this way.• In his first encyclical, Pope John Paul II describes the work

of the Holy Spirit in all religions.• The Holy Spirit works though the morality, prayer and

spirituality of all religions.• It is a difficult line to walk – belief that the truth is Christ

while still accepting the truth in all religions.

Nostra Aetate – “in our time” –diocese of Rochester

Nostra Aetate• Read the document in your small group and summarize

what you think the message is:

Hindus,Buddhists Muslims Jews

Nostra Aetate – note taking exercise1. Introduction • The document begins by describing the common origin of

all people, and the fact that they all return to God; therefore all world religions have a common goal. All religions seek to answer the same basic questions.

2. Hindus, Buddhists, and other religions • The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy

in these religions (Buddhism and Hinduism). She regards with sincere reverence (respect, but higher) those ways of life, those teachings which often reflect a ray of Truth which enlightens all people.

3. Muslims • Part three goes on to say that the Catholic Church

regards the Muslims with esteem, and describes some of the things Islam has in common with Christianity and Catholicism: worship of One God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Merciful and Omnipotent, Who has spoken to men; the Muslims' respect for Abraham and Mary, and the great respect they have for Jesus, whom they consider to be a Prophet and not God. Catholics and Muslims are urged to forget the hostilities and differences of the past and to work together for mutual understanding and benefit.

4. Jews • Part four speaks of the bond that ties the people of the 'New

Covenant' (Christians) to Abraham's stock (Jews). It states that even though some Jewish authorities and those who followed them called for Jesus' death, the blame for this cannot be laid at the door of all those Jews present at that time, nor can the Jews in our time be held as guilty. The document also rejects all displays of anti-Semitism made at any time by anyone.

5. Conclusion • The fifth part states that all men are created in God's image,

and that it is contrary to the teaching of the Church to discriminate against, show hatred towards or harass any person or people on the basis of color, race, religion, way of life and so on.