1. Catholics & Other Religions
in the
21st Century

2. Respecting Other Faiths
Why is it important to respect other people of other faiths, cultures, and nationalities??
Video: I Believe in Respect
Can you identify with any of the voices or situations in the video? If so, how?
Have you ever made assumptions about others based on what you think you know, rather than what you actually know?
Imagine you are living in a town in which your faith or religious affiliation is a minority. How would that feel? How would you want others to treat you?
What are the potential benefits of learning about other faiths?

3. Catholics and Other Religions in the 20th/21st Century
in the 20th century, technological advances and globalization contributed to religions having more and more contact with each other
the need to understand one another and live together became evident
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

4. Catholics and Other Religions in the 20th/21st Century Cont’d…
religious dialogue was an important topic of the Second Vatican Council, which resulted in the following guidelines
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

5. 1. God’s Salvation is Offered to All People
Catholics believe God created all of humanity in His image
all humans are one in spite of all their differences
salvation comes as a gift from God, offered to all
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

6. 1. God’s Salvation is Offered to All People Cont’d…
Implication
other religions can lead to salvation by following their conscience
all religions are an expression of the quest to look for God
Catholics see goodness in the minds and hearts of men, and in their diverse religious practices and cultures
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

7. 2. Jesus Christ is Present in Other Religions
because all human beings are created in the image of God, they are the image of the Trinity, and also reflect Jesus Christ
Jesus is the only way to God
there is one universal plan of salvation in which all humans take part, in all religions, even if they don’t realize it
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

8. 2. Jesus Christ is Present in Other Religions Cont’d…
Implication
Catholics see “rays” of Christ or “seeds” of the Word in other religions
Catholics speak openly about Christ to other religions to identify similarities and unity with another religion
Christ is the great mystery of God’s love at the centre of Catholic faith, and this is the message Catholics bring to others
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

9. 3. The Holy Spirit is at Work in Other Religions
the mission of the Spirit is to complete the work of Jesus and lead people to Christ and to the full truth
Catholics believe the Holy Spirit works within each person
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

10. 3. The Holy Spirit is at Work in Other Religions Cont’d…
Implication
Catholics believe they may also come to a fuller truth about Jesus by listening to the workings of God in all religions
the same Holy Spirit that lives in the Church lives in other religions
what the Spirit does in other religions will not contradict what it does in the Church
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

11. 4. Dialogue is Part of the Church’s Mission
interreligious dialogue is an act of the Holy Spirit leading people to the truth
Catholics believe the Holy Spirit flourishes in the Church
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

12. 4. Dialogue is Part of the Church’s Mission Cont’d…
Implication
if the Spirit is at work in other religions, it must be found and appreciated and received by the Church
it is the Church’s mission to listen to what other religions have to say and discern what is of God and what is not of God
the Church accepts that God is found in prayers, practices, insights, and traditions of other religions
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

13. Jig Saw Activity: Discussing the Interreligious Guidelines
in your expert groups discuss your assigned questions
EACH person must write the answers to each question on your OWN white board
return to your home group and share
At Confederation in 1867, Canada had a population of around 3 million people, mostly Aboriginal, French, and English
Canadians speak many languages, practice many religions, and come from many cultures and ethnic groups

14. Homework Read pages 20-24 in textbook Answer questions 1-5 on page 24
Create vocabulary flashcards