Cardinal in CAR Advocates for Interreligious Dialogue, Says “indispensable path to peace”

“This dialogue passes by the recognition of what is good, true and holy in other denominations,” the Cardinal said, and added, “The famous slogan ‘extra ecclesiam nulla salus’ (outside the Church there is no salvation) is already outdated, because no one has a monopoly on the truth.”

Cardinal Nzapalainga further said, “Religions must be present in all initiatives that can contribute to the advent of a lasting peace for all religions have a mission to work for peace.”

“It is therefore impossible to talk about peace if one is not yet ready to enter into a relationship with people who do not share my religion,” he added.

The Local Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Bangui went on to highlight the importance of hospitality, which he described as “the welcome and recognition of the other in his or her difference without this difference being the cause of disputes.”

“Welcoming the other also means welcoming the face of the other, accepting the other in his vulnerability, overcoming antagonisms, getting to know the other, moving from contempt to esteem,” the 55-year-old Cardinal said.

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He added, “Each one of us is therefore called to rediscover the relational path that Jesus shows us with the Canaanite woman.”

“For the construction of peace, interreligious dialogue breaks down the ideological barriers that divide and leads to respect for the other. This is how the human race can build peace,” the Cardinal said during the 65th anniversary of UCC that is taking place under the theme, “Education and peace building in today's world: Challenges and perspectives.”

Established in 1957, UCC is an institution of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO).

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.