Catholic and Muslim leaders discuss responsibilities during times of crisis

Vatican City, Dec 16, 2008 / 07:24 am

Yesterday Catholic and Muslim leaders met in Rome to discuss the theme: "The Responsibility of Religious Leaders, Especially in Times of Crisis."

The XI Colloquium, organized by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Islamic Call Society (WICS), a Muslim organization headquartered in Tripoli, Libya, began yesterday and will end tomorrow morning with an audience with Pope Benedict.

The colloquium's five sessions are dedicated to presentations, part Catholic and part Muslim, and the development of three themes of reflection: "Religious Responsibility," "Cultural and Social Responsibility," and "Times of Crisis on the Path of Interreligious Dialogue."

Twelve Catholic and twelve Muslim dignitaries and experts from various countries are participating in the event, which is presided over by, respectively, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the Secretary General of WICS, Mohamed Ahmed Sherif.