(Nov.07,2008): Catholics and Muslims agreed that youth must be formed in their own
religious traditions and correctly educated about other religions, to give witness
to transcendent values in a secular society. The recently established Catholic-Muslim
Forum affirmed this in a joint declaration released on Thursday at the conclusion
of their first seminar, which began Tuesday in the Vatican. The theme of the three-day
seminar was "Love of God, Love of Neighbor." The final statement of the forum
reflected many points of similarity between the two creeds, as well as resolutions
for positive action to build solidarity and peace between the two. We are convinced
that Catholics and Muslims have the duty to provide a sound education in human, civic,
religious and moral values for their respective members, and to promote accurate information
about each other's religions,"it said. Seminar participants recognized that plurality
in God's creation is a richness and should not be a source of conflict. They professed
the belief that "Catholics and Muslims are called to be instruments of love and harmony
among believers and for humanity as a whole, renouncing any oppression, aggressive
violence and terrorism, especially that committed in the name of religion, and upholding
the principle of justice for all." The joint declaration emphasized that young
people are the future of the religious communities as well as societies. It asserted
the necessity of forming youth in their own religions, as well as in the understanding
of other cultures and religions. The statement closed with a plan to hold a second
seminar in two years in a Muslim-majority country.