Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zamboanga City (Agenzia Fides) - After thirty years of work in Christian-Muslim dialogue, the "Silsilah" movement, which was launched in the Philippines in 1984 thanks to the work of the PIME missionary Sebastiano D'Ambra, collects and recognizes the benefits of the work carried out and renews its commitment. As reported to Fides in a note by "Silsilah", spirituality "life-in-dialogue" has become widespread in the Philippines and abroad, and experience has received national and international awards.
For the occasion, "Silsilah" celebrated its National Assembly a few days ago, bringing together people of different religious traditions and cultures. At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants signed and issued a statement in which they commit themselves to nurturing the spirituality of life-in-dialogue through constant renewal and deepening of the relationship with God, with oneself, with others and with all creation; to respect religious and cultural pluralism through education and formation; to strengthen cooperation in "Forum Silsilah", through communication and sharing of resources, experiences and reflections; to promote in every possible way the culture of dialogue as a path to peace for families, workplaces, schools, groups and other institutions; to responsibly use social media and other technologies to spread the spirit of dialogue, especially the "Chain of Harmony"; to expand the culture of life-in-dialogue beyond the Philippines.
The "Chain of Harmony" is the spread of a special non-denominational "prayer for harmony", which "is a sign of hope to sustain our commitment to dialogue and peace". The prayer, which finds space in schools, mosques, churches, groups, parishes around the world, is recommended as a common prayer that Muslims and Christians can recite. It was approved by the "Bishops Ulama Conference", the conference that unites Christian Bishops and Muslim leaders in the Philippines. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2014)
