The Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) plans to create a department dedicated to Christian-Islamic dialogue, which will be integrated into the Subcommission for Interconfessional Relations and Interreligious Dialogue, according to Revista Ecclesia.
An initiative in process within the CEE
The project has already been studied by the Executive Commission of the Episcopal Conference and will soon be examined by the Permanent Commission for its final approval. The announcement was made by Monsignor Adolfo González Montes, emeritus bishop of Almería and member of the subcommittee responsible for these matters.
As the prelate explained, the future department will be tasked with providing a stable framework for discernment and the promotion of initiatives for relationship and cooperation between Christians and Muslims, as well as for the joint addressing of issues of common interest.
Announcement during an institutional visit to the Central Mosque of Madrid
The announcement took place in the context of the visit by the delegates and secretaries of Interconfessional Relations, who are holding their national training days these days, to the Central Mosque of Madrid. The meeting took place on the occasion of the Day of Human Fraternity, which is commemorated every year on February 4.
The visit had an institutional character and developed as a dialogue meeting between representatives of the Catholic Church and the Muslim community in Spain.
Participation of Muslim representatives
In the meeting participated, among others, the president of the Islamic Commission of Spain, Ayman Adlbi, and his secretary, Mohamed Ajana, as well as several imams and members of the Muslim community in Madrid.
Taha Ali was also present, imam of the Central Mosque of Madrid and member of the Al-Azhar Observatory, an organization dedicated to preventing extremism and promoting interreligious dialogue.
Common references and defense of human dignity
During his intervention, Monsignor González Montes emphasized that Christians and Muslims share the reference to Abraham, faith in a single God, and the recognition of the dignity of the human being as a creature of God.
In this context, he encouraged uniting efforts in the defense of the dignity of the person, fundamental rights, and human life, as well as denouncing everything that attacks that dignity.