The advances in Science and Technology and the leveling of frontiers and boundaries have all contributed to a greater awareness of the pluralism of faiths, culture and peoples not only in the world but also in our own community.

Today, people everywhere have begun to be aware that they live amid many and diverse faiths, and cultures. Though many and different peoples are, they need not be hostile nor indifferent to each other. In fact, these diversities invite all sundry to make a shift in paradigms from hostility to partnership; from indifference to involvement; and from being close to being open to one another.

This new relational paradigm teaches us that notwithstanding our differences and diversities we all live on this earth, in fact, on this piece of land. The bottom line is the affirmation that we are together in the journey through life. For better or worse, we are neighbors and we hope and believe that as neighbors, we can be partners in building not only of a better world but more so of a friendlier community where you and I, and our children live as brothers and sisters.

For this to happen, there are three basic steps that we need to pursue in season and out of season.

o The first step is to take our pluralism seriously. We are different yet there is that ‘kind redness’ that need to seriously experience. This is the common bond in our humanity.

o The second is to be open to each other and learn to live with each other in tolerance and respect. This will only happen when we begin to accept, to trust one another and to live together as good neighbors.

o Third, is our commitment to guarantee the rights and dignity of every person regardless of faith, gender, culture and color within our society/community.

The basis of this commitment is our belief that all peoples even though they belong to different religions, nations, etc. all form ONE human family, created by the ONE and same God, living in the same world/community, and destined for a common end.

In interreligious relations there is one WORD that can describe our efforts and endeavors - TRUST! Trust is NOT a universal element in human relations. It has to be slowly, patiently and sometimes painfully built through time.


One of the giants in interreligious relations is the late Pope John Paul II. In his visit to the Grand Mosque of Damascus (May 2001), his message to Muslims and Christians calls for a new relationship between these two great religions.

“It is my ardent hope that Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will present our two great religious communities as COMMUNITIES IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, NEVER MORE AS COMMUNITIES IN CONFLICT”. It is crucial for the young to be taught the ways of respect and understanding, so that they will not be led to misuse religion itself to promote or justify hatred and violence. Violence destroys the image of the Creator in his creatures, and should never be considered as the fruit of religious conviction.”

“Better mutual understanding will surely lead to a more objective and comprehensive knowledge of each other’s religious beliefs at the practical level, to a new way of presenting our two religions NOT IN OPPOSITION, as it happened too often in the past, BUT IN PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOOD OF THE HUMAN FAMILY.”

“Many serious obstacles remain, yet the first step towards peace must be a steadfast conviction that a SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE PARAMETER OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS. I appeal once more to all the peoples involved and to their political leader, to recognize that confrontation has failed and will always fail. Only a just peace can bring the conditions needed for the economic, cultural and social development to which the people of the region have a right."

No doubt, you and I can spell the difference in making the Southern Philippines a genuine zone of peace and partnership between and among Christians, Muslims and Indigenous peoples. As the talks of resumption of peace negotiation hang in the air, this new partnership and involvement in the peace process should shape the social cohesion that should characterize the relations between Christians, Muslims and the Indigenous peoples.