Octava Dies. Editorial Note F. Federico Lombardi.

(November 8, 2008) The Catholic-Muslim seminar that was held in Rome from November 4-6 is a significant step forward in the dialogue, said Jesuit father Federico Lombardi, Spokes Person of the Holy See and director of Vatican radio. He was communicating through the weekly Editorial Octava Dies on November 8. he said that the Church held regular meetings with different groups representing Muslims, but this meeting has demonstrated the ability to enter more deeply and frankly the themes and essential to be able to give more clarity and honesty to what unites and what differentiates. The final joint statement contains important statements about respect for the individual and his choices in matters of conscience and religion, on the equal dignity of man and woman. And the common commitment to a world of justice and peace descends from the common faith in the creation of the human person from a God who loves us and calls us to love, he said. The Holy Father encourages the continuation of this dialogue, which opened in a climate of confidence, and hopefully we can extend it to wider circles in the Christian and Muslim world. Even the eruption of the tragic situations in the Middle East or even the recent massacres of Muslims in Bosnia, should not prevent it and stop it. Benedict XVI concluded by inviting to join forces in order to overcome any misunderstanding, to overcome prejudices and correct the distorted image of the other.