From late 1981 to the start of 1982, Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, visited Asia for the first time. As she traveled across the continent, she saw the need for a “school” that would prepare the members of the Movement, mostly Christians, to dialogue with people who belong to other religions or spiritual traditions. When she arrived in the Philippines in January 1982, she understood that this country is a “spiritual oil well” and saw how it could be the appropriate cradle of the School of Dialogue with Oriental Religions (SOR). Everything seemed like a dream back then, but now, 40 years later, Chiara’s prophetic vision is already being realized in a piecemeal and pragmatic way. Chiara saw far beyond the dictates of logic. After all, she had always followed the promptings of the Spirit in important moments in her life.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of SOR, a course of formation on interreligious dialogue was offered to the members of the Focolare Movement last May 20-22, 2022. The theme was: “Dynamics between Faith, Culture and Interreligious Dialogue in Asia.” Participation was hybrid: physical presence in the auditorium of the Mariapolis Center in Tagaytay, for some 80 participants from the Philippines, and online for the rest of the more than 300 persons linked from several Asian countries. Despite technical challenges, the course turned out to be a fruitful one.
The first lesson was given by Prof. Eddie Hsueh, Co-Director of SOR, who explained that as human beings, everyone is called to dialogue. Then the participants were able to enter the world of Asian cultures, and the dynamic process and interaction between Asians and the Gospel, thanks to the clear and engaging exposition by Fr. Jose Vidamor B. Yu, LRMS, Professor at the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies in Tagaytay.
To ensure that everyone get a solid foundation for carrying out interreligious dialogue, Fr. Matteo Rebecchi, SX reviewed the magisterium or teaching authority of the Catholic Church on this subject, thoroughly explaining the basic teachings before and after the Second Vatican Council. A passage from that Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, indicates the change in the attitude of the Church, especially after Vatican II. It affirms that the Catholic Church “rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions” but “regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which (…) often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.” (NA 2)
To update the participants on recent developments in the teachings of the Church, no less than the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Msgr. Indunil J. Kodithuwakku K., addressed them directly from the Vatican. He affirmed that Pope Francis does not define dialogue differently from his predecessors but broadens dialogue and its application by emphasizing that evangelizers must have a spirit of availability and openness to the needs, questions, cultures, and religious practices of others. Moreover, since authentic religion recognizes each human person as created by God, and God as the Father of all, thus every believer acknowledges human fraternity, that we are all brothers and sisters with equal dignity.
The context of the course of formation was Asia. It was, therefore, necessary to know the specific approach of the Church in Asia to interreligious dialogue in this continent. Drawing from the documents issued by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), Prof. Roberto Catalano of Sophia University Institute in Loppiano, near Florence, Italy, made an exposition of the Federation’s teachings in this field. It is interesting to note the importance it attributes to the laity in the task of carrying out a dialogue of life with people of other religions.
At this point, the need for interreligious dialogue was clear beyond any reasonable doubt. The next question was how to carry it out effectively. Language and communication are of paramount importance in any kind of dialogue. Misunderstandings are not infrequent in interactions. Founder and long-time CEO of Ancilla Enterprise Development Consulting, Tita Puangco gave concrete tips on the methods to use in communicating across cultures and religions.
What is the role of the spirituality of unity, fruit of the charism received by Chiara Lubich, in interreligious dialogue? SOR Co-Director Dr. Lolita Castillo identified the five underlying principles of Lubich’s interreligious commitment. Believers of other religions have discovered aspects of their religious traditions that are parallel to these points of the spirituality of unity: God-Love, the Word of God, Jesus in the midst, Jesus Forsaken, and Mary. The spirituality of unity considers interreligious dialogue essential for the achievement of its specific goal, which is the prayer of Jesus, “that they may all be one…” (Jn 17:21). On the other hand, it facilitates dialogue among the faithful of different religions.
Forty years of SOR’s existence generated much enthusiasm and gratitude in the participants of this year’s course of formation. The characteristic Asian patience that knows how to wait can be a powerful generator of hope for a more fruitful dialogue between cultures and religions in Asia.
Nilda M. Castro
