Nostra Aetate - In Our Time

94 We know now more than ever that interreligious dialogue is significant and irreplaceable. It is, among other things, a prerequisite for peace, a vital condition for everyone, as well as an object of longing of every human heart, of every religion which, with its religious and human heritage, it can greatly help to achieve. Let me conclude with the words that Pope Francis addressed to the participants at the recent General Inter- religious Audience in St. Peter’s Square on 28 October 2015. His first recommendation was prayer. We are facing difficult times. Pope Francis says continually that we are living in a world divided into many pieces scattered here and there; that we are living through a dark moment in our history in which dialogue has therefore become a necessity. This dialogue comes through and with prayer, to be achieved through our respective religious traditions. And, as believers, we also have to pray on high to God to ask his help as we confront the problems of humanity. “Dear brothers and sisters, as for the future of interreli- gious dialogue, the first thing we have to do is pray, and pray for one another: we are brothers and sisters!” His second recommendation called for us to have mutual respect, each for the other, working together for the common good. So here we have a really beautiful roadmap to continue celebrating the message of Nostra Aetate . But let me end with what the Pope told us in St. Peter’s Square: “We can walk together taking care of one another and of creation – all believers of every religion. Together we can praise the Creator for giving us the garden of the world to till and keep as a common good, and we can achieve shared plans to overcome poverty and to ensure for every man and woman the conditions for a dignified life.” (General Interreligious Audience, October 28, 2015). Thank you very much. Bishop Miguel Ayuso in front of the mural “Followers of God” (1978) sited at the entrance to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue NOSTRA AETATE – CREAT ING A CULTURE OF INCLUSION