Interfaith Dialogue

Interfaith dialogue is about building genuine and positive relationships with people of other religions. It recognises and values the spiritual and moral gifts present in different faiths. The Church understands interfaith dialogue as part of its mission: a way of seeking mutual understanding and enrichment, rooted in truth and respect for freedom (RMi 55; DP 9).

For the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, this commitment takes many forms around the world, shaped by local realities. In Nigeria, for example, Sr Kathleen McGarvey OLA helped to establish the Interfaith Forum of Muslim and Christian Women’s Associations, known as the Women’s Interfaith Council (WIC). This network brings together women leaders of both faiths, empowering them to play an active role in peacebuilding in a region marked by tension and conflict.

Closer to home, the Sisters in Ireland have been involved with the Cork Three Faiths Forum. This forum brings together people from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions to build relationships, share experiences, and learn from one another. It provides opportunities for dialogue, cooperation, and reflection, encouraging deeper understanding and respect across faiths.

Interfaith dialogue is not about persuading someone to change their religion. Rather, it is about walking together towards God (DP 11), working for the coming of God’s Kingdom (DM 25).

The word “dialogue” can sometimes be misleading. It may sound like endless formal meetings or theological debates between experts. In reality, interfaith dialogue is not primarily about talking – it is a spirituality, an attitude, a way of life. At its heart, it is about how we live alongside one another, share daily life, and cooperate on what matters most.

This way of living takes shape in many ways: in everyday encounters and friendships (the dialogue of life), in working together on social challenges (the dialogue of action), in theological discussion and study (the dialogue of thought), and in sharing our experiences of prayer and faith (the dialogue of religious experience).

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