(Archbishop of Algiers, Algeria)
The Islamic-Christian dialogue may appear overcome when Islamic movements in certain Muslim countries stir up armed groups and set up their followers against whoever does not share their ideas.
The Church of Algeria is undergoing a trial of this kind.
Fidelity to their vocation - in a difficult context - as priests, religious brothers, religious sisters and lay missionaries shows that this development of fundamentalist movements of Islam does not justify abandoning dialogue works where many Christians, living close to Muslims, have been involved since Vatican Council II. On the contrary, action of these groups shows the urgent need for mutual recognition between men and women of good will, Christians, Muslims and others, for daily co-operation and spiritual solidarity according to the forms specified to each one by the Spirit of God.
Our relations with our Muslim partners give our love for our neighbour these two specific notes of evangelical charity: generosity and universality: " For if you love those who love you, what reward have you" (Mt. 5,46).
The commitment together, Christians and Muslims, to serve the poorest, build up truth in society, ensure respect of human rights, protect women and children's rights, etc., all this common action falls within the work of the Reign of God according to the definition given in Chapter 2 of Redemptoris Missio "The nature of the reign is communion of all human beings amongst each other and with God" (RM 15).
The Church of Africa must develop this aspect of its witness in approaching the third millennium to give its Mission a universal dimension.
Original
text: French
