Archbishop of Sydney

Sign of Hope

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
4/11/2007

A few weeks ago at the end of Ramadan, the Muslim period of fasting, 138 Muslim leaders and scholars published a letter to Pope Benedict and Christian leaders everywhere.

The title "A Common Word between Us and You" is taken from the Koran, the Muslim sacred book and the message spells out common ground: accepting that there is only one God and living in peace with one’s neighbours.

This is a breakthrough, a welcome development and a promising early step.

This new letter was issued exactly one year after the first letter signed by 38 Muslim scholars in response to Pope Benedict’s controversial address at Regensburg which discussed the role of reason and violence in religion and different societies.

These two letters are a sign of hope, genuine contributions to dialogue between two different theistic traditions and across centuries of mutual violence and distrust.  History does not disappear because we ignore it and nearly always discussion between people of good will diminishes misunderstandings.

The letter is important because the 100 extra signatories of muftis, scholars, academics and other religious leaders come from 43 nations and represent the two great Muslim traditions, Sunni and Shiite as well as smaller sects.

The letter does not claim an all-Muslim consensus but does represent significant convergence sponsored by the King of Jordan.

One Christian expert acknowledges that the three part structure of the letter is truly beautiful as it is an Islamic acknowledgement that Christianity, Judaism and Islam have love of God and love of one’s neighbour at the heart of their faith.

The first section has two parts quoting from the Koran and the Judaeo-Christian Scriptures to emphasize the primacy of total love and devotion to God.

There is no God but God, who is Infinitely Good, All Merciful, Owner of the Day of Judgement and our devotion to Him must be totally sincere.  According to the Koran we must listen to God, obey and fear Him.

The letter also quotes Matthew's gospel citing Jesus' teaching about the two great commandments on which all the Law and Prophets depend: the first and greatest commandment to love God and the command to love our neighbour.

This second commandment is followed through practical acts of generosity and self sacrifice, especially to the poor, orphans, wayfarers and our kinsfolk.

The letter concludes by stressing the crucial role of freedom of religion and that Muslims are not against Christians.

Muslims and Christians constitute 55% of the world’s population and the document acknowledges that if Muslims and Christians are not at peace, the world cannot be at peace.

This is not the whole truth because the other great religions and irreligion are powerful, but I agree with the letter’s claim that "our very eternal souls are also at stake if we fail to sincerely make every effort to make peace and come together in harmony".