Cardinal on Religious Differences with Islam: "Ideologies that Promote Exclusion"

This year, Ramadan largely coincides with Lent, allegedly offering a unique opportunity Christians and Muslims to walk side by side, in a common process of purification, prayer and charity.

Cardinal George Koovakad, head of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, wrote this in a March 7 message.

He imagines: "By abstaining from food and drink, Muslims learn to control their desires and turn to what is essential" [while many Muslims indulge in gluttony after sunset].

The Cardinal compared Christian Lent to Ramadan: "These spiritual practices, though expressed differently, remind us that faith is not merely about outward expressions, but a path of inner conversion."

He dreams of 'fraternity', 'genuine dialogue' and 'friendship' "despite the burden of history and ideologies [=Faith] that promote exclusion."

"Our trust in God is a treasure that unites us [him], far beyond our differences."

He wants to "proclaim the beauty of human diversity," he wrote.

Picture: George Koovakad, © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk, CC BY-NC-ND, #newsEzzzklsaoz