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Catholic-Muslim dialogue opens to support Islamic American communities Father Gregory Rannazzisi chats with Muslim men during an open house in 2010 at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, N.Y. Father Rannazissi, a member of the ecumenical and interfaith commission of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., is the diocese's liaison with Long Island's Muslim population. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)


By James Martone • Catholic News Service • Posted January 10, 2017

UPDATED — WASHINGTON (CNS) — An emerging Catholic dialogue with Muslims aims to show public support for Islamic American communities.

The dialogue stems from concerns expressed by U.S. bishops in the wake of “a serious uptick in violence against American Muslims … to make sure that they are sensitive to what is going on in the (Muslim) communities,” said Anthony Cirelli, associate director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The regional dialogues — mid-Atlantic, Midwest and West Coast — have been effective in creating a better understanding among Muslim and Catholic leaders on a theological level, Cirelli explained. The national dialogue also will help Muslim leaders to better advocate for current concerns, “especially with the incoming (U.S.) administration,” said Cirelli, referring to calls by President-elect Donald J. Trump and others to monitor American Muslims and limit entry of Muslim visitors from abroad.

He said Muslim counterparts to the dialogue were still being identified.

The creation of the dialogue was motivated by the call of “Nostra Aetate,” the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the relations with non-Christian religions.

Cardinal Cupich explained that the regional dialogues helped establish “wider ties of friendship, collaboration on projects of mutual interest and greater theological understanding” facilitated by scholars in each group. The successes of the regional dialogues over the past 20 years made a national dialogue possible, he said.

Beyond building relationships, the national dialogue will “strive to contribute tangible fruits … that benefit not only those who pray and worship in our churches and mosques but also the American public and the international community of Christians and Muslims as each tries to replace narratives of hate and distrust with love and affection,” Cardinal Cupich said.

During the widely publicized event at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Bishop McElroy challenged U.S. Catholics to take an active role in combating “the scourge of anti-Islamic prejudice.”

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