Vatican dialogues with Iraqi religious groups

October 29, 2013: A meeting is being held at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, with the Superintendence of the Shiite, Sunni, Christian, Yazidi and sabea groups of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Iraq. The purpose of this initiative is to launch a partnership between the Vatican ministry and Iraqi religious communities with a view to establishing a Standing Committee for dialogue. Cardinal Jean -Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue , opened the proceedings that involved a presentation of Iraqi religious communities as well as that of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue .

It reflects , therefore, the current situation of religious communities in the Republic of Iraq and the dialogue between them. The important meeting, the first of its kind, provides an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding and to assess prospects for further dialogue. On October 30, at the conclusion of the work the participants will greet the Holy Father.