The importance of interreligious dialogue for peacebuilding and peace education in the modern world

Through this video, the Xaverian Missionaries of Indonesia share one of the missionary activities in that nation: interreligious dialogue, especially by our seminarians who are in the beginning stages in philosophy.

Recall that Indonesia is approximately 87% Muslim, but the government recognizes Islam, Christianity (Protestant and Catholic), Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism as official religions. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, or Unity in Diversity, is the official national motto of the Republic of Indonesia: “We are of many kinds, but we are one.”

During the formation time, the young Xaverians, with enthusiasm and interest, concretely engage in activities that help them to learn to be open missionaries, to go out to meet and get to know non-Christian brothers and sisters, with the attitude that Saint Guido M. Conforti teaches us: “To make the world one family in Christ.”

This is done through several activities, formal (conferences, seminars, …) and informal (visits to institutions, sports, sharing religious festivals, cultural activities, …), which have strengthened the good relations between neighbors and communities of different religions. As indicated by our Ratio Missionis Xaveriana n. 66.1: “A sufficient knowledge of other religions’ history and spiritual tradition is a necessary basis for engaging in constructive dialogue with brothers of other religions. Preparation for this dialogue should be initiated in the basic formation period”.

This video presents some of the dialogue events held by the Xaverians in recent years. We thank our confreres for sharing this high missionary activity and interest of theirs.

Thanks to the Xaverian Missionaries’ main website in Rome