Now faiths can work together

When in 1965 the assembled bishops of Vatican II with an overwhelming majority affirmed Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, the bishops declared that because man is created in the image of God, the Church will not discriminate against, show hatred towards or harass any person on the basis of colour, race or religion. As a result, the Church opened its doors to interfaith relations.

And so, today the Catholic Church regards Muslims with esteem, decries anti-Semitism and respects Hinduism and values its relatively young relationships with these and other world religions. Vatican II led to a change in attitude for the benefit of the Catholic Church and the people of the world because now the Church is able to do its work through multiple channels.

Juma Musjid in Durban was the first mosque to be built in what is now KwaZulu-Natal, and it’s the largest in the southern hemisphere. The mosque and Emmanuel cathedral have been neighbours for a century.

“We have more than a family relationship with the Emmanuel cathedral,” says AV Mohamed, the chief trustee of the Juma Musjid Trust. “We are in complete sync with one another. We support one another on projects and we interact on all levels.”

Mr Mohamed says the two faith centres have a complete, unbroken and strong working relationship, with “non-negotiable support for each other”. He says the reason the two faiths are able to work together is because of their shared interests. “Each is allowed to practise their own religion, and we have a mutual relationship. There is a level of respect between us.”

The community at large is able to benefit from their relationship because of the support shown for various projects. So, for example, the Juma Musjid Trust contributed R50 000 to the Denis Hurley Centre when fundraising first began.

“Faiths working together on a social or community issue is possible as the fundamental universal truths lead us all to work towards reducing the suffering of people, and also the suffering of our planet.” says Leela Verity, a Catholic who runs an interfaith retreat centre in Plettenberg Bay called Sat Chit Anand.

Ms Verity founded the retreat centre ten years ago as a Buddhist centre. At the time, she was a student of eastern religions, but she has since rediscovered her Christian routes. “It’s funny that Buddhism allowed me to re-embrace my Christian roots,” she says. She now considers herself a devout Catholic.

Ms Verity believes while there is often initial reservation between people of different faiths, this soon dissolves once people realise that all religions share common elements. “The dogma and doctrines of different religions might differ, but they share the common aim of guiding people to live a spiritual life.” All religions teach a path of liberation from suffering. The paths may differ but the goal is the same, she adds.

Founded by Archbishop Denis Hurley, the Diakonia Council of Churches in KwaZulu-Natal is an ecumenical, inter-church agency. Through the work of the different faiths and churches, the council works to improve the quality of life for the poor, as well as changes in attitudes and structures which perpetuate injustice.

The council’s Kudzai Taruona says the first benefit of working with other faiths is that “we reach out to more people than we would if we stuck to our constituency. We also share ideas, strategies and techniques on how best to execute our campaigns.”

Archbishop Hurley’s rationale for establishing Diakonia was that no church should do on its own what could be done with others. This can be extended to the idea that no faith tradition should do on its own what it can do with others.

Mr Taruona says not only does it make sense for churches and faiths to work together to get more work done, but it is also sensible in the current economic climate where funding is limited. “In fact we work with anybody who shares our vision, be they religious or secular.  In this day of religious fundamentalism and intolerance, interfaith collaboration is one way of building bridges between faith traditions. Cooperation, not competition should be every faith tradition’s modus operandi.”

Interfaith dialogue is also important to bring understanding of different religions. “There are many misconceptions about other religions, and this causes distrust and fear of associating with them, and in extreme cases, leads to religious wars.” Ms Verity says.

She adds that we cannot afford to create divisions any longer, and this includes division between people in the name of religion. “The world is moving towards unity. We are emerging into this new consciousness where we realise the unity of creation, the unity of humanity. It is time we recognised our oneness. If we understand the oneness of humankind, then we realise that differences are secondary. With an attitude of respect and concern for others, we can create an environment that is conducive to happiness. We can enjoy a sense of real brotherhood, peace and harmony, instead of conflict,” she says.

Fr Enrico Parry of the diocese of Oudtshoorn says work with other faiths is needed in every diocese. “I believe formal contact between the different faith organisations is important. Something as simple as wishing Muslims well over Eid would benefit the community at large”.

The priest says that while there are no formal projects underway at diocesan level at present, some parishes are involved with other faiths on a community level. It is something he hopes to see more of: “Vatican II inspires us and the Church acts on that inspiration.” Fr Parry also feels that a joint effort between different faiths is a way in which more people can be assisted.

One of the most important outcomes of Nostra Aetate was the Church’s new attitude towards Judaism. Historically, Catholics have been guilty of many anti-semitic acts, often committed in the name of the Church. Pope John Paul II issued a moving apology for this in the Jubilee Year 2000.

Dialogue with Judaism is an important cornerstone in the Church’s interfaith endeavours.

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein says the Jewish community of South Africa is very open to working with the Catholic community. The ability to work together comes not just from an almost 50-year-old document, but is also “one of the unique and distinct features of the new South Africa”.

He says the country’s faith communities are built on strong traditions and these have enabled interfaith structures to work successfully. “The co-chairman of the National Interfaith Council of South Africa is Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg. I have great respect for him as he is a strong, clear leader who works with warmth and openness. There is a respect shared among the faith leaders of the country and our work is always positive.”

Chief Rabbi Goldstein feels that because we have an open society today and because South Africans are proud of this, interacting and working together — both in business and in humanitarian deeds is easier as faith is no longer an issue. “It is also easier to actively practise our faiths. I see respect for all faiths at every level I work at. On a personal note, at any major state function I attend, I am always served kosher food.”

The Jewish leader says that because of South Africa’s ethos and sense of hope, there is no conflict between faith and respect. “The vast majority of South Africans belong to one of the many strong, robust religious communities. We need to harness the positive energies of those communities.”

He envisages a South Africa where the morals of the various faith communities are entrenched in all South Africans and is working on the Bill of Responsibilities — a document that will encourage moral regeneration.

Vatican II inspired the Church to open its doors without prejudice. Pope John Paul II gave this concrete expression when he gathered representatives of virtually all world religions to pray for peace in Assisi, Italy, in 1986. Pope Benedict gave it a further dimension when he invited atheists to the 25th anniversary celebrations of Assisi in 2011.

Interfaith dialogue has resulted in a better understanding of other faiths — a peaceful concept; it has led to the ability to work together on universal matters — from protecting the environment to fighting political regimes; and it has allowed Catholics to embrace the fact that we see the face of God in all people, irrespective of their belief.

“We have the same interests — we both pray to God. So we can both work together and support each other’s projects,” says the Juma Musjid Trust’s Mr Mohamed.