The meeting between the Vatican leaders and the delegates of the group of 138 Muslim Wise Men who signed the letter "A Word between us" "is a new chapter in a long history" of dialogue between the Catholic world and the Muslim world. With these words, card. Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Papal Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, presents in an interview with the French newspaper "La Croix" the meeting that will begin in the Vatican tomorrow. "We must not said the cardinal give the impression that this forum marks the beginning of a new Islamo-Christian dialogue: in fact, we have been talking for 1,400 years! In addition, since the declaration ‘Nostra Aetate’ of the Second Vatican Council, a regular and fruitful dialogue has been established". As to the guidance provided by the Benedict XVI, the cardinal said: "this dialogue does not consists in finding the least common denominator, to say we are all similar. It actually reminds us of the need for the truth, that for us is Jesus Christ, the only mediator". Dialogue went on card. Tauran cannot be accomplished but out of any ambiguity. We must look at the others, listen to them, esteem them. Then, assert our own identity". "Inter-religious dialogue is always a call to assert our own identity. The purpose of this is not conversion but mutual acquaintance". (segue)
