Our Mission and Interreligious Dialogue

A Summary of Decree 5

What follows is a summary of Decree 5, one of 26 Decrees dealing with the Mission of the Society Jesus today issued by the 34th General Congregation [GC34] of the Society of Jesus.

I. Introduction

GC 34 encourages all Jesuits to move beyond prejudice and bias to cooperate with all men and women of good will in the promotion of peace, justice, harmony, human rights and respect for all of God's creation.

II. The Church and Interreligious Dialogue

In a world of religious pluralism, a positive relationship with believers of other faiths is a requirement for one to be religious. The Society of Jesus must foster a fourfold dialogue recommended by the Church: a dialogue of life, a dialogue of action, a dialogue of religious experience, a dialogue of theological exchange. This latter includes a dialogue with indigenous religions.

III. The Society of Jesus and Interreligious Dialogue

Interreligious dialogue for the Society of Jesus means "a work desired by God," "an integral element of the Church's evangelizing mission" that finds expression in the service of faith and the promotion of justice. Our service of faith occurs in a world conscious of a plurality of spiritual experiences. We share our Christian experience with others. As we reach out to "the mystery of God active in others" through dialogue, we proclaim "God's mystery as it has been manifested to us in Christ." Our commitment to justice and peace, human rights and the protection of the environment has to be made in collaboration with the believers of other religions because religions too bear responsibility for sinful elements in the world.

IV. Guidelines

  1. We will seek to be enriched by the spiritual experiences and ethical values, theological perspectives and symbolic expressions of other religions.

  2. GC 34 urges all Jesuits to gain a solid foundation in philosophy and theology with a special focus on the person and mystery of Jesus Christ.

  3. It is important that we strengthen in our formation the mystical dimension of Christian faith and Jesuit spirituality in encounter with the spiritual traditions of others.

  4. We must be sensitive to the religious and cultural background of those we address.

  5. Theological reflection must explore the meaning of the Christ-event in the context of the spiritual evolution of humanity articulated in the history of religions.

  6. We must work with believers of other religions in creating basic human communities founded on truth and love.

  7. Jesuit social and cultural centers will identify and promote the dynamics of the local religions and cultures and initiate common projects.

  8. Our educational institutions will conscientize students on the value of interreligious collaboration.

Pastoral service will prepare our Christian communities for dialogue.

Jesuits engaged in proclaiming the Gospel must "engage in honest, respectful dialogue with experts in the other religious traditions" and "communicate the fruits of this dialogue" to Jesuits in the first three aspects of dialogue.

V. Concrete Responses

Dialogue with the Jewish people holds a unique place. The emergence of Islam and dialogue with Islam requires on the part of Jesuits "great faith, courage and the support of the rest of the Society." Dialogue with Hindus involves shared ascetical, philosophical and social dimensions. Dialogue with Buddhism supports yearnings for personal spiritual experiences. Dialogue with religious fundamentalism means trying to "understand why the members of a revivalist movement have taken their particular stance, and to discover in an unprejudiced manner their legitimate intentions and hurt feelings."

VI. Conclusion

This culture of dialogue should become a distinctive characteristic of our Society, sent into the whole world to labor for the greater glory of God and the help of human persons.

VII. Recommendations to the Superior General

  1. Explore the feasibility of setting up a secretariat for interreligious dialogue to promote and coordinate Jesuit initiatives.

  2. Explore the possibility of establishing a department for the study of religions at the Gregorian University.

  3. Explore the possibility of expanding the scope of the apostolate of the Jesuit community of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem.

Synopses of Other Decrees which are available.

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