A Message from the Divine Mercy Region Ecumenical & Interreligious Animator

As Secular Franciscans, we are called to live out the Gospel daily, fostering peace, understanding, and cooperation among all people. Recently, Pope Francis took a significant step in this direction by signing the Istiqlal Joint Declaration 2024 titled “Fostering Religious Harmony for the Sake of Humanity.”   during his visit to the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 5, 2024 [1] [2].

Key Points of the Istiqlal Joint Declaration 2024

1.      Promotion of Human Dignity: The declaration emphasizes the inherent dignity of every human being, urging religious leaders to work together to uphold and protect this fundamental value [1].

2.      Interreligious Dialogue: It calls for increased dialogue and cooperation between different faith communities to foster mutual understanding and respect [2].

3.      Condemnation of Religious-Based Violence: The document strongly condemns any form of violence carried out in the name of religion, advocating for peaceful resolutions and harmony [1].

4.      Environmental Protection: Recognizing the urgent need to address climate change, the declaration encourages religious communities to take active roles in environmental conservation efforts [4].

Action Items for Our Fraternities

To bring the spirit of this declaration into our daily lives and communities, we propose the following action items for our fraternities:

1.      Organize Interfaith Dialogues: Host regular meetings with local religious leaders and communities to discuss common values and address shared concerns. This can help build bridges and foster mutual respect.

2.      Educational Workshops: Conduct workshops on human dignity and the importance of interreligious dialogue. These can be open to the public to spread awareness and understanding.

3.      Community Service Projects: Collaborate with other faith communities on service projects, such as environmental clean-ups or social justice initiatives, to demonstrate our commitment to the common good.

4.      Prayer and Reflection: Dedicate time during our gatherings for prayer and reflection on the themes of the declaration. This can help us internalize these values and inspire us to live them out.

5.      Advocacy: Advocate for policies and practices that promote human dignity, environmental protection, and peaceful coexistence within our local and broader communities.

By embracing these actions, we can contribute to a world where peace, understanding, and cooperation prevail. Let us take inspiration from Pope Francis and the Grand Imam's example and work tirelessly to promote harmony and respect among all people.

[1]: Pope Francis and Grand Imam Sign Joint Declaration at Indonesia Mosque [2]: Pope Francis to sign tolerance document in Indonesia [4]: Pope and Indonesia's grand imam sign declaration to fight climate change

May the peace and love of Christ guide us in all our endeavors.

In Franciscan Peace,

Mike Carsten OFS

Ecumenical and Interreligious Animator

Minister Troubadours of St. Clare Fraternity

 Divine Mercy Region