A catalyst for dialogue among religious believers

Now that Pope Francis went to Assisi to sign his latest encyclical letter, “Fratelli Tutti,” we can get a closer look at the interreligious and ecumenical overtures woven throughout the document. At the core of the message of his letter is human solidarity, which naturally implies a special role for people of religion. In fact, it is the first time in the history of the church that a Muslim was chosen to present a papal encyclical.

Judge Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Salem, advisor to the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahamed al-Tayeb, and secretary general of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, said in an interview with America magazine, what an honor it was to present, “When El Baba (the Arabic name for the pope) invited me at the end of July to participate in the presentation of the encyclical, he sent me the text in Arabic. And when I first read it, I saw it is an accurate plan for the world’s leaders. He really wants to achieve human fraternity.”

This past Sunday, the Grand Imam al-Tayeb received a copy of the encyclical in Arabic and remarked, “My brother, Pope Francis’ message, ‘Fratelli Tutti,’ is an extension of the Document on Human Fraternity and reveals a global reality in which the vulnerable and marginalized pay the price for unstable positions and decisions. It is a message that is directed to people of good will, whose consciences are alive and restores conscience to humanity.”

Judge Salam said during the interview that “the friendship between El Baba and the Grand Imam is something exceptional, something that has not happened in modern history. It’s a chance to get their two religions closer, to bring the followers of their religions closer. The friendship is not only for outward appearance, it’s real. They make phone calls on birthdays and festival days. They are making history.”

Judge Salam was one of five participants that presented the encyclical in the Vatican’s synod hall. The other four presenters at the ceremony were Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Anna Rowlands of Durhan University in England and Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio community.

Judge Salam in his remarks at the event said, “What we are witnessing in the Vatican, starting with its highest authority, proves that, all things considered, we are moving in the right direction and that the creative and foundational thought of a new vision is heading towards higher horizons in time and space.”

“Fratelli Tutti” is rooted in, as well as expands upon, the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, which the pope signed jointly with the Grand Imamin February 2019. It is addressed to all people of good will and meant to be a catalyst for dialogue among religious believers and even those of no faith who desire a more peaceful and just world. It is a social encyclical dedicated to human fraternity and social friendship. It treats the universal dimension of the doctrine of fraternal love. It encourages us to dream as a single human family and as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh.

The encyclical singles out the role of religion to be at the service of fraternity in our world. It encourages awareness that people of faith are all children of God and that we are called to live in peace with one another. The pope wrote that this journey of peace together is possible and that it must be promoted by all world religions. Religious leaders are called to be true “people of dialogue” to cooperate in building peace as authentic mediators. And the pope calls on all Catholic Christians to make the church a home with open doors, because she is Mother.

Using the example of the parable of the Good Samaritan in the second chapter of the encyclical, Pope Francis noted that even the devote can fail to help the traveler, saying, “Paradoxically, those who claim to be unbelievers can sometimes put God’s will into practice better than believers.” He urged readers of the document to follow the teachings of Jesus by not setting limits on who they regard as their neighbors. He added that he sometimes wondered why “it took so long for the church unequivocally to condemn slavery and various forms of violence.” He added, “All of us, as believers, need to recognize that love takes the first place: love must never be put at risk and the greatest danger lies in failing to love.”