EVANGELII GAUDIUM - page 189

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Islam enjoy in Western countries! Faced with
disconcerting episodes of violent fundamen-
talism, our respect for true followers of Islam
should lead us to avoid hateful generalisations,
for authentic Islam and the proper reading of the
Koran are opposed to every form of violence.
254. Non-Christians, by God’s gracious in-
itiative, when they are faithful to their own
consciences, can live “justified by the grace of
God”,199 and thus be “associated to the paschal
mystery of Jesus Christ”.200 But due to the sac-
ramental dimension of sanctifying grace, God’s
working in them tends to produce signs and rites,
sacred expressions which in turn bring others to
a communitarian experience of journeying to-
wards God.201 While these lack the meaning and
efficacy of the sacraments instituted by Christ,
they can be channels which the Holy Spirit raises
up in order to liberate non-Christians from athe-
istic immanentism or from purely individual re-
ligious experiences. The same Spirit everywhere
brings forth various forms of practical wisdom
which help people to bear suffering and to live
in greater peace and harmony. As Christians,
we can also benefit from these treasures built up
199 I nternational Theological Commission, Christianity
and the World Religions (1996), 72: Enchiridion Vaticanum 15, No.
1061.
200 Ibid.
201 Cf. ibid., 81-87: Enchiridion Vaticanum 15, Nos. 1070-
1076.