Liturgy in the Context of Religious Pluralism Lessons from…宗教多元主义教训背景下的礼仪.pdfVIP

Liturgy in the Context of Religious Pluralism Lessons from History and Future Challenges Keith F. Pecklers, S.J. 1. Introduction In his keynote address at the Tenrikyo-Christian Dialogue held five years ago at Tenri University in Japan, the then President of the Pontifical Council for Inter- religious Dialogue, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, noted the extent to which religious pluralism is changing the face of urban life around the world:1 One can meet Buddhists in Birmingham, U.K., Christians in Calcutta, Hindus in Helsinki, Muslims in Marseille, France, and Tenrikyo in Los Angeles and Paris, and even in Rome. Dialogue and cooperation would seem to be the way forward in the contemporary world.2 Forty-five years after the Second Vatican Council, in a new century and a new millennium, this postmodern world has become a multi-religious world more than ever before, and the task of interreligious dialogue especially within the context of inculturation can no longer be treated as one pastoral option among many.3 I am aware of the extent to which Amsterdam has become one of the most multi-religious cities in Europe, but even in Rome, it is significant that the largest mosque in Europe is found there, built by Iraqi and Italian architects in 1995. Moreover, near the Pantheon at the Oratorio of San Francesco Saverio ‘del Caravita’ where I serve on the Pastoral Staff, the Church of Scientology occupies the building immediately next to ours. Clearly, the religious face of human society is changing and we need to attend to that shifting landscape so that we not be left behind. First and foremost, this necessitates a greater level of intentionality on the ecumenical front so that we Christians can find a common voice as the Body of Christ within the world, lest our Christian voice be re- duced to a cacophony of d