Building a Communion of Communities: Interreligious Dialogue in the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo, Philippines

• Main Author: Mendoza, Ruben C
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2009
• Subjects: Christianity; Religion
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/theology-faculty-pubs/27; https://archium.ateneo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=theology-faculty-pubs
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

In a context that is characterized by violence, poverty, and strained Muslim-Christian relations, the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo (AVJ) understands its mission as enabling the birth of a community of peace and justice. To this end, the AVJ considers dialogue with the Moros as an integral element of its mission and ministries. For the AVJ, the church’s identity as a sacrament of God’s love is intimately related to the church’s relationship with the predominantly Muslim populace. It is in responding to the various needs of the Moros of Jolo that the church realizes its task of building the kingdom of God in the concrete circumstances of life. With the Moros, the AVJ seeks to build basic human communities where both Christians and Muslims try to foster harmonious relationships and which respond to the pressing issues of their society.