Building a Culture of Encounter and Dialogue between Christians and Followers of Traditional Religions for a More Inclusive, Peaceful, and Fraternal World
Press Release
International Consultative Webinar on Traditional Religions
Organised by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue will host an International Consultative Webinar on June 10, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Rome time). This global event will bring together Christians and followers of traditional religions from various continents, including Africa, South America, North America, and Oceania.
The meeting will focus on the theme: “Building a Culture of Encounter and Dialogue between Christians and Followers of Traditional Religions for a More Inclusive, Peaceful, and Fraternal World.”
Participants will include bishops, priests, religious men and women, pastoral agents, and scholars from Christian communities, as well as traditional chiefs and experts representing traditional religions. Representatives will join from various countries:
- Africa: Benin, Togo, Malawi, Nigeria, Eswatini, Burkina Faso, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and South Africa
- South America: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Uruguay
- North America: United States
- Oceania: Australia
This webinar is organized in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions. It reflects the continuing mission of the Dicastery, as outlined in its 1993 letter to Presidents of Episcopal Conferences regarding the Pastoral attention to Traditional religions and dialogue with their followers. Additionally, it aligns with the Dicastery’s broader commitment to promoting mutual understanding and respectful engagement among people of diverse religious traditions.
The consultative meeting aims to achieve two primary objectives:
- To explore recent developments in traditional religions, focusing on their current realities, challenges, opportunities, and future prospects;
- To gather participants’ recommendations on major themes to be addressed in future regional or continental meetings involving Christians and followers of traditional religions.
In the context of the current global climate—marked by conflict, violence, and division—this webinar provides a vital platform for reflection and exchange. The meeting will serve to strengthen collaboration and networking between regional and continental platforms engaged in promoting pastoral attention to traditional religions and interreligious dialogue. The event aims to promote dialogue, justice, charity and the quest for truth as essential tools for cultivating peace, reconciliation, and human fraternity.
