Salesian Center and Lehigh Dialogue Center to Host First in Series of Muslim-Catholic Dialogues, Mon., Sept. 24, at DeSales
The Salesian Center for Faith and Culture at DeSales University and the Lehigh Dialogue Center will kickoff their new series of Muslim-Catholic Dialogues for the Lehigh Valley beginning 7 p.m., Monday, September 24 in the Trexler Room of the White Pavilion of the DeSales University Center.
The inaugural event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a presentation titled "May We Come to Know Each Other Better," by Father Thomas Michel, SJ, secretary for interreligious dialogue of the Society of Jesus and former secretary of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The dialogue will continue with a response by Abdullah Bozkurt, president of the Lehigh Dialogue Center, followed by discussion among the audience.
"Christianity and Islam are the world's two largest religions, yet there is an ongoing misunderstanding and ignorance for what the people of each faith and culture stand for, practice and believe," said Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS, director of the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture.
"Through this series of dialogues, we hope to engage in scholarly discussions that focus on a particular issue, concern or question that can be addressed by both faith traditions, thus developing and, over time, deepening our understanding of each other."
Father Michel was Pope John Paul II's top expert on Islam as secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. He has served as ecumenical secretary for the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference in Rome, and has taught around the world.
The Muslim-Catholic Dialogues for the Lehigh Valley are slated to run twice annually, one at the DeSales campus in Center Valley (Fall) and one at the Dialogue Center in Bethlehem (Spring). The goal is to explore the commonalities and differences between the two world religions in the hope of coming to know and understand each other better.
Established in 2000, the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture promotes the interaction of faith and culture through academic initiatives that focus on the authentic integration of social concerns and gospel values.
Founded in 2004, the Dialogue Center of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit, non-political organization comprised of volunteers from business and academia as well as students. Their goal is to support and advance the harmony and cooperation among religions, based on their belief that respect for religious plurality and dialogue is key to world peace.
For more information about the upcoming event, contact the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture at 610-282-1100, ext. 1244 or SCFC@desales.edu.
Press Release: Salesian Center and Lehigh Dialogue Center to Host First in Series of Muslim-Catholic Dialogues, Mon., Sept. 24, at DeSales | Posted on: 9/7/2007
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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