We would like the thank Sr. Cáit Mulligan, the Editor, for permission to use this extract from the Irish Regional Newsletter. We hope to make this a regular feature of the website.

Sr. Vivienne Keely, on her way to Ireland recently for a General Leadership Team meeting, stopped off in Los Angeles for a couple of days. She shared with the Sisters her experience of engaging in dialogue with Muslims in Australia, ordinary people who like their Christian counterparts are involved in the pressure of life, trying to meet financial obligations and to raise their children. Similar to Los Angeles, Sydney consists of a complex of smaller cities within the greater area that is known as Sydney. Vivienne lives in the diocese of Parramatta which has a wide diversity of population from different cultural and ethnic groups.

The document Nostra Aetate (1965) of the Second Vatican Council speaks of Muslims:

"Upon the Muslims the Church looks with esteem. They adore one God, living and enduring, merciful and all powerful, Maker of heaven and earth and Speaker to men. They strive to submit wholeheartedly to his inscrutable decrees just as did Abraham, with whom the Islamic faith is pleased to associate itself. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere him as a prophet. They also honour Mary, His Virgin Mother, at times they call on her too with devotion. (N.A.3)

Dialogue between Muslims and Christians can take place on a number of levels; faith level, social level , theological level.

Vivienne shared what she called,  "Things I wish I'd known before I started dialogue with Muslims"

*    Muslims think of Christians and Jews as People of the Book because we share the ancient text of the Pentateuch with them. The Magnificat comprises one chapter of the Koran. It is often recited with Muslims at dialogues.

*    They believe in Adam and Eve, in the sin of our first parents and their expulsion from the Garden. They have no concept of original sin, therefore there is no necessity for a Saviour or mediator.

*    God is one. This aspect of the Muslim religion is so strong that Muslims cannot in any way conceive of God being Trinity.

*    They acknowledge Jesus as a prophet and some celebrate the birthday of Jesus.

*    Mary, for whom they have a great love, is truly important as the mother of the Prophet Jesus.

*    Jesus cannot be the son of God, since that means that God would have to share some part of himself with another and consequently could not still be One.

*    Christians believe that Jesus is the revelation of God. For Muslims the revelation of God is total and complete in the Koran. That is why the text of the Koran is so important to them.

*    Muslims generally are pro-life.

*   Hospitality lies at the basis of Muslim society.

Vivienne answered questions from the group and, through questions and stories, made the afternoon both interesting and informative. Celebration of the Eucharist by Father Richard Alborano, followed by a cheese and wine reception, brought the afternoon to a conclusion.

Many thanks to Vivienne for sharing her insights with us.