Outside of Dialogue, there is no Salvation

Mari Jože Osredkar

https://jti.isca.ac.ir/article_77794.html

This article explores the role of interreligious dialogue in fostering peace and preventing violence, with a focus on Catholic theology and its engagement with Islam. Drawing on the relational theology of Guy Lafon, it posits that human existence is inherently relational, and life is sustained through dialogue, particularly interfaith dialogue. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), through documents like Nostra Aetate and Lumen Gentium, redefined the Catholic doctrine of salvation, moving from "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus" to an inclusive ecclesiology of communion, enabling dialogue with other religions. This shift emphasizes mutual respect and religious freedom as prerequisites for reducing religious violence. The article examines historical and contemporary Catholic-Islamic dialogue, highlighting events like Pope Francis’s 2019 visit to the UAE and the Document on Human Fraternity, alongside initiatives in Slovenia, such as Franciscan-led conferences and academic collaborations with Islamic institutions. It argues that dialogue, rooted in the recognition of shared divine values, is essential for peacebuilding and the renewal of faith. In Slovenia, where Catholics and Muslims coexist, interfaith efforts counter secular indifference and foster mutual understanding. The article concludes that dialogue is not merely a tool but a salvific necessity for religious communities to thrive and prevent conflict, asserting that "outside of dialogue, there is no salvation."