Hindu Catholic Dialogue Commemorative Brochure 20150523

Author(s): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Publisher: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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15. Cite historical periods when there was exceptional conflict between this faith and other faiths? To what extent do these conflicts linger today?
During the first century of Christianity, there were many persons who objected to or rejected the message of Jesus. Some Jewish leaders and officials of the Roman Empire made efforts to stop the spread of the faith. There were very intense polemical exchanges between Christians and Jews for the entire first millennium of Christian history. Another tragic, centuries-long conflict has characterized relations between Christians and Muslims. During the seventh century A.D., the Arabic successors of the founder of Islam began to build a large international empire in the Middle East at the expense of the pre-existing Byzantine and Persian empires. The new empire incorporated the military prowess of the early Muslim community and its religious zeal to create a new civilization based on Islam. Eastern Christians in the conquered lands recognized that the new religion contained elements of Judaism and Christianity. Islam showed itself to be a completely new religious movement offering both political and intellectual challenges to all the forms of Christianity in the Mediterranean world and the Middle East.
16. What are the ways in which this religion interacts with other religions in contemporary USA?
In the United States, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has sponsored more than forty years of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue (www.usccb.org). Local Catholic dioceses and parishes are active partners in interfaith partnerships engaged in a wide variety of projects.
J. MORE...
Jl. Are there common misconceptions about this religion that need to be addressed?
It is not uncommon for some people to deny that Catholics are "Christians". Given the history of the text of the New Testament, transmitted through the Catholic Church over the centuries, and the handing on of the apostolic ministry, it is obvious that this opinion has no basis in fact. Catholic priests and bishops are selected from men who have a calling to the priesthood and are willing to live a celibate life; permanent deacons may be married or celibate. A special provision is made for married Protestant clergy who wish to become Catholic priests; they are not required to take on celibacy.
Another common misunderstanding about Catholicism is about the veneration that Catholics
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HINDU CATHOLIC DIALOGUE