Shaping a Culture of Encounter in a Fragmented World: Culture, Politics, and the Promise of Interreligious Dialogue

• Main Author: Lefebure, Leo D.
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/apms/vol6/iss1/3; https://archium.ateneo.edu/context/apms/article/1010/viewcontent/APMS_206.1_203_20Article_20__20Lefebure_20FINAL.pdf
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

We are constantly reminded on many different fronts that our global community is facing crises of major proportions. Of these, ethno-religious nationalism emerging in many different countries of the world, and the rapidly increasing destruction of our Earth's ecosystem manifested in the phenomenon termed “climate change,” stand out as key challenges facing all of us. Pope Francis has called on all people of good will to work together in stemming the tide of destruction, and highlights the importance of interreligious dialogue in his regard. This essay names five areas wherein interreligious dialogue and cooperation may be applied to usher in in a culture of encounter in our fragmented world: Aesthetics, Academic Sharing, Spiritual Encounter, Concern for the World, and Friendship.