Jubilee of the year 2000: the interreligious dimension - + Michael Fitzgeral

Pope John Paul II has constantly affirmed that the Jubilee of the Year 2000 is not something that concerns Catholics only, or even just Christians, but that it regards in fact the whole of humanity. For Christians this is because we are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the Word made flesh, that Word which illumines every person coming into the world. For people of other religions, who do not look upon Christ in the same way, there may still be a readiness to share the joy of Christians at the anniversary of his birth. There is also the fact that the Christian way of calculating time, from the birth of Christ, is the one most communally used throughout the world, and so we are at one on preparing for a new millennium. Furthermore, the concerns of the Jubilee as "a year of the Lord's favour", overcoming slavery, cancelling debts, respect for the land, restoring equality among people, can be shared by all despite differences in beliefs.

An Interreligious Encounter

As one millennium draws to a close and the next looms near, it has been thought appropriate to invite a certain number of people belonging to different religious traditions to come together for a few days reflection. This interreligious encounter, which is being organized by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, will take place in Rome 24-29 October 1999.

The programme foresees the presentation of a position paper to which representatives of different religions would be invited to react. This will be followed by group discussions with a view to drawing up a common statement. One day is to be set aside for a common pilgrimage. On the last day the participants will be encouraged to fast and pray before coming together for the final celebration, in St Peter's Square, in the presence of the Holy Father. While the first part of the meeting will be by invitation only, the ceremony in St Peter's Square will be open to all.

By arranging this encounter in Rome already in 1999, encouragement may be given for similar encounters elsewhere, in 1999 or in the year 2000 itself. It should be remembered that, according to the Holy Father's wish, the Jubilee of the Year 2000 is to be celebrated not only in the Holy Land and in Rome, but in Local Churches throughout the world.

Day of Reflection on lnterreligious Dialogue

A further reminder of the interreligious dimension of the Jubilee is to be provided by an invitation to prayer and reflection addressed particularly to Catholics. This has been fixed for Pentecost Sunday in the year 2000.

Some may be surprised that Pentecost should be designated in this way for reflection on the importance of establishing good relations among people of different religions. Yet Pentecost recalls the coming of the Spirit. The same Spirit who came

down on the first disciples is active also in people's hearts and in their traditions and cultures and even in their religious rites. All that is good and noble in these traditions can be attributed to the work of the Spirit. In this way the Holy Spirit is the prime

mover in interreligious relations.Pentecost, marking the birth of the Church, is the feast of mission and, as Pope John Paul II has said, interreligious dialogue forms part of the evangelizing mission of the Church. Pentecost reminds us of the universality of the Church which is to bear the message of the Gospel to people of all tongues. In dialogue Christians are able to bear witness to the Gospel, just as other believers have the possibility of giving witness to their religious values, and this can provide mutual enrichment. Pentecost is a sign that Babel can be overcome, that harmony can be achieved, and this finally is the goal of interreligious dialogue.

Pentecost Sunday, 2000, will therefore be an occasion for Christians to remember that they are not Christians just for themselves alone, but that they are called to relate to other believers and indeed to all members of humanity.