Vatican City: Cardinal Victor Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to dialogue with people of other faiths, stressing that religion should never be used to justify war or violence.
His remarks came as the Church marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate, the Second Vatican Council declaration on the Church’s relationship with non Christian religions. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue have marked the anniversary with the publication of A Journey of Hope.
Cardinal Fernández recalled the declaration’s teaching that people cannot truly call on God as the Father of all while refusing to treat others as brothers and sisters. Nostra aetate also rejects discrimination and harassment based on race, colour, social condition or religion.
He said this teaching remains particularly important in a world affected by division, war and violence. “Every religion and all religions stands for peace. Never for war,” he said, while referring to Pope Leo XIV’s reaffirmation that using God’s name to legitimise terrorism, violence or war goes against the true nature of God and ultimately attacks religion itself.
Cardinal Fernández also explained that genuine interreligious dialogue does not require people to hide their religious identity. Recalling the approach associated with Saint John Paul II, he said dialogue should bring together a strong sense of identity with a sincere openness to others.
He described authentic dialogue as also a form of proclamation because participants should be able to express their own faith clearly while remaining open to the identity and beliefs of others. He connected this approach with Pope Francis’ reflections in Dilexit nos, which emphasise that those who proclaim the Gospel should do so from a personal experience of Christ’s love.
According to Cardinal Fernández, this approach is different from proselytism. He stressed that sharing faith should respect the freedom and dignity of others rather than pressure them to accept it.
The Cardinal also pointed to Redemptoris missio, in which Saint John Paul II described dialogue with other religious traditions as part of the Church’s evangelising mission. He said the Church seeks to proclaim faith in the risen Christ while working towards a future marked by peace, fraternity, justice, respect and love.
Cardinal Fernández identified individualism and excessive self focus as obstacles to what Saint Paul VI called a “civilization of love”, a phrase also adopted by Pope Leo XIV. He said these attitudes can cause people to turn inward and disregard the existence and needs of others.
In response, he said the Church seeks to witness to fraternal love when meeting believers of other religions and to build dialogue and cooperation with them. Through such encounters, the Church hopes to help people recognise the connection between love of neighbour and human happiness