Our Grade 11 World Religion courses explore various religions around the world. One of the major themes in the Curriculum is Interreligious Dialogue. These resources can help Catholics to explore this important theme.
“[Interreligious] Dialogue is a two-way communication. It implies speaking and listening, giving and receiving, for mutual growth and enrichment. It includes witness to one’s own faith as well as an openess to that of the other. It is not a betrayal of mission of the Church, nor is it a new method of conversion to Christianity.” Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Excerpts from the Institute for Catholic Education’s Secondary Religious Education Policy Document:
Front Materials (Religious Literacy) “One of the important factors for overcoming cultural and religious intolerance is knowledge and understanding of the ‘other’ coupled with an opportunity for cross-cultural and interreligious dialogue. Given the ever increasing reality of Canada’s religious mosaic, students should be gradually exposed to the language of other religions and this exposure can begin with an exploration of significant religious feasts that are often acknowledged in the media such as the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashanah or the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.”
Grade 11 Open – Course Description (Italics added): This course engages students in the examination of world religions, particularly Judaism, Christianity and Islam, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Spiritualties’, and locally appropriate religious tradition(s), if suitable. This is a survey course that will help students understand the basic similarities and differences between the religious traditions so they can interact with others with acceptance and familiarity. Ontario is a multi-faith global community. Students will deepen their understanding of the various faith traditions in their local community and around the world.
The Grade 11 University/College – Course Description concludes with this statement: “We live in a multi-faith global community. With the knowledge of this course, students ought to be able to understand more clearly the world’s religious affairs.”
Grade 11 O and M – Big Idea (Scripture) “Interreligious and ecumenical dialogue seeks to assist believers of different traditions to find common ground in belief and understanding of the differences in their traditions.”
Grade 11 O and M – Big Idea (Christian Moral Development) “Moral authority(ies) – “In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of [humanity] in the search for truth, and for the genuine solution to the numerous problems which arise in the life of individuals and from social relationships.” Gaudium et Spes par. 16 “
Grade 12 Hope Expectation: (Scripture) Appreciate Scripture as the basis for the Catholic Church’s stance regarding interreligious and ecumenical dialogue.
In November 2018, the Parliament of the World Religions was held in Toronto.
“The Parliament of the World’s Religions was created to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world.” – their website. See their resources page.
The Journal of Interreligious Studies is a forum for academic, social, and timely issues affecting religious communities around the world. Published online, it is designed to increase both the quality and frequency of interchanges between religious groups and their leaders and scholars. By fostering conversation, the Journal hopes to increase religious literacy, contribute to the field of interreligious hermeneutics, and address the issues surrounding interreligious relations, dialogue, theology, and communication. – Their website
Scarboro Missions Interfaith Dialogue See also their Golden Rule Poster resources.
Canadian Council of Churches – Interfaith Resource Kit
Interfaith work is rooted in the belief that greater mutual understanding will promote peace, strength, and well-being among us. The aim of this kit is to help Christians deepen relationships with our Canadian neighbours of different faiths. We also wish to educate ourselves about the faith groups with which we relate to in Canada, and to provide information and resources that will assist Christian groups in doing so. – from their website.
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops — A Church in Dialogue: Catholics and Muslims in Canada: Believers and Citizens in Society
Archdiocese of Toronto Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs The Office of Ecumenical & Interfaith Affairs exists to promote the goals of the Roman Catholic Church in its pursuit of Christian unity and interfaith understanding and cooperation within the Archdiocese through prayer, dialogue and teaching and to represent the Archdiocese in ecumenical and interfaith events. –from their website.
Project Ploughshares: Interfaith Resources Project Ploughshares is an operating division of The Canadian Council of Churches that works with churches, governments and civil society, in Canada and abroad, to advance policies and actions to prevent war and armed violence and build peace. –from their website.
CARFLEO World Religions Resources
- Indigenous Spirituality Resources
- Hinduism Links
- Buddhism Links
- Sikhism Links
- Judaism Links
- Islam Links