A Festival of Dialogue (Cairo, November 21-27 2007) - ISTITUTO DI STUDI ECUMENICI SAN BERNARDINO

A festival of dialogue (Cairo, November 21-27 2007)

The Commission for the Service of Dialogue of the Order of the Friars Minor met in Cairo from the 21st to the 27th of November. Among the topics on the agenda was: ISE cooperation in the ecumenical formation of friars. For this reason Fr. Roberto Giraldo, the Dean of ISE, was also present at the meeting. The participants were able to take advantage of a manifold school of dialogue: with Islam, with the Orthodox and Protestant churches and with the local Catholic church.

With Islam

The fortune of meeting with Al-Azhar, the Imam of the main mosque in Cairo, made it possible for us to understand the essence of the doctrine taught in that school, here summarized in 5 points: a) all human beings are brothers because they descend from only one man; b) religious diversity does not prevent collaboration; c) God wants men to be different in their faith; d) different cultures are called to cooperate; e) religions coming from heaven invite peace and wellbeing for human kind.

With the Coptic Orthodox church

The meeting with Bishop Moussa, former pupil of a Catholic school run by Franciscans, disclosed to us a very lively church, committed to the ecumenical dialogue and active above all in animating youth groups. The visit to Saint Mina (Menas) Monastery, inhabited by 101 monks, was exciting.

With the Protestant world

The Protestant world is also represented in Egypt and Dr. Safwat N. El-Baiaday the Presbyterian Pastor, President of the Evangelical church in Egypt, outlined for us the picture of a confederation of 17 churches, considered as a single Evangelical church, including historical as well as charismatic churches.

With the local Catholic church

We could not neglect meeting with representatives of the local Catholic church and we were fortunate enough to be welcomed by the Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic church in person who has outlined a general picture of the Catholic presence in Egypt: 7 churches (Coptic, Latin and other Eastern churches, like Greek-Melkite, Armenian, Maronite, Syriac...) for a total of 250,000 Christians.

With the Franciscan family

Meeting with the Franciscan family of Cairo was also interesting, we assembled at the convent of Saint Joseph's theatre to participate in an exchange of ideas introduced by Mons. Michael Fitzgerald, the Papal Nuncio, and by Br. Tecle Vetrali.

Naturally the closest connection and the most direct experience was established with the local friars who offered a well organised service and, above all, their personal welcome and wilfulness, giving true meaning to the Cairo meeting. A qualified Franciscan presence is the Center for Christian Oriental Studies in Muski, with a library containing precious Christian testimonies and rare manuscripts. Sharing Holy Communion in Coptic rite was very touching.