Islam

Link to our dialogue partners: The Islamic Society of North America and the Islamic Circle of North AmericaIslamic Dialogue includes the Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims, the Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims, the West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims, and the National Catholic-Muslim Plenary Dialogue

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has given renewed emphasis to the Church's relationship with Islam and to the ever-growing field of dialogue with Muslim communities throughout the world. In the United States, the Catholic community responded immediately to the call of the Council by meeting locally with Muslim neighbors in various locations around the country; notably Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Detroit.

In 1990 the Bishops Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs convened it first national dialogue with the Muslim community in the United States to discuss how to sustain and direct an ongoing dialogue between the two religious communities on a national level.By 1999, the USCCB was meeting regularly with American Muslims and national Islamic organizations in three fixed venues -- the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and West Coast dialogues-- co-sponsored by the USCCB Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and co-chaired by a Catholic bishop.These ongoing dialogues have given way to relationships that serve as building blocks toward mutual respect, appreciation, understanding, and collaboration between the two communities on the local and national level.

The Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
The Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims was established in 1996 and generally meets once a year.The current chairmen of the dialogue are Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed of The Islamic Society of North America and Auxiliary Bishop Francis R. Reiss of Detroit. Dr. Anthony Cirelli currently staffs the dialogue on behalf of the SEIA.

In its over 15 year history, the Midwest Catholic-Muslim Dialogue undertook a joint exploration of revelation, culminating in the 2005 publication "Revelation: Catholic & Muslim Perspective." It has also explored topics surrounding the nature and purpose of interreligious dialogue, and is currently exploring the role of religion in the public square.A chronological history of the dialogue summaries can be found here .

Documents Produced by the Dialogue

History of the Dialogue

The Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
The Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims was established in 1998 and convenes once a year.The Muslim chairman is currently Dr. Khurshid Khan of The Islamic Circle of North America, and the Catholic chairman is Auxiliary Bishop Denis Madden of Baltimore. Dr. Anthony Cirelli currently staffs the dialogue on behalf of the SEIA.

In 1998 the Mid-Atlantic Catholic-Muslim Dialogue undertook a joint study of marriage and family in the two traditions.Due to the attacks of September 11, 2001, the dialogue put aside the topic of marriage for several sessions in order to examine the relationship between religion and violence.In 2004 the dialogue returned to its discussion of marriage and family, and concluded with the publication of the document "Marriage: Roman Catholic and Sunni Muslim Perspectives" in 2010.

The dialogue is currently engaged in a study of the role of education in religion and interreligious understanding. A chronological history of the dialogue summaries can be found here.

Documents Produced by the Dialogue

History of the Dialogue

The West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
The West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims was established in 1999 and meets once a year.The Muslim Chairmen are Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi and Imam Mustafa Al-Qazwini, and the Catholic Chairman is Bishop Carlos A. Sevilla, SJ.Anthony Cirelli currently staffs the dialogue on behalf of the SEIA.

In 2003 the West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims published "Friends and Not Adversaries: A Catholic-Muslim Spiritual Journey" after a three year consideration of the topic of surrender to God and obedience to faith.Dialogue participants have also addressed the topics of justice as a precondition for peace, and a comparative study of the Quran and the Bible. A chronological history of the dialogue summaries can be found here.

Documents Produced by the Dialogue

History of the Dialogue

The National Catholic-Muslim Plenary Dialogue
The National Catholic-Muslim Plenary Dialogue will hold its first session in late 2012, with the intention of reconvening every three years.The Plenary session will be open to all participants of the three regional dialogues and has as its purpose the sharing of ideas and experiences across regional boundaries, with the aim of strengthening the exchange between the Catholic and Muslim communities on a national level.

Further Resources on Islamic-Catholic Relations

• An Introduction: The Islamic Tradition, by John L. Esposito

• Vatican Council and Papal Statements on Islam

• Catholic-Muslim Relations, by John Borelli, Ph.D.

• What Dialogue Means for Catholics and Muslims, by Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett

• How an Islamic Leader Views Dialogue, by Muzammil Siddiqi

• How Mary Holds Christians and Muslims in Conversation, by Cardinal William Keeler

• The Pillars of Islamic Faith: What We Should Know and Why, by David B. Burrell

• Condolence letter from Cardinal George on the Death of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, by Francis Cardinal George, OMI

• What Catholics Should Know About Islam, by Sandra Toenies Keating, Ph.D.

• Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding, Georgetown University

• "Common Word Between Us and You" Official Website –(2007) An open letter from a group of 138 leading Muslim scholars to Christian leaders calling for peace and understanding between religions.The official Response from the USCCB Communications Office