First Confucian–Christian Colloquium
“New Heaven, New Earth and Datong (Dae-dong) (Great Harmony, Great Unity): Christian-Confucian Dialogue for Building an Ideal Society”
Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
4–5 August 2026
Final Statement
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, together with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, the Confucian Academy of Korea (Sungkyunkwan) and Sogang University, convened the First Confucian – Christian Colloquium in Seoul on 4–5 August 2026 under the theme: “New Heaven, New Earth and Great Harmony/Great Unity (大同 Datong/Dae-dong): Confucian- Christian Dialogue for Building an Ideal Society.”
Inspired by Confucius’s words, “To have friends come from afar, is it not a joy?” (Analects 1.1), and by the Christian exhortation to “welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7), scholars, religious leaders, educators, and practitioners from Asia, Europe, and North America gathered in a spirit of friendship, hospitality, and mutual respect. Through dialogue, shared reflection, prayer, meals, and visits to places of cultural and religious significance — all fostered in the spirit of the draft Guidelines for Christian–Confucian Dialogue introduced during the colloquium — we discovered that authentic encounter does not erase differences, but instead deepens understanding, strengthens trust, and enriches us all.
Reflecting on the Christian hope of the New Heaven and New Earth and the Confucian vision of Great Harmony/Great Unity, we recognized a shared call to build a world of justice, respect, compassion, peace, and harmony. Though rooted in different traditions, our dialogue revealed a common aspiration to overcome division and foster a community where all can live together in dignity and care for one another.
While our traditions arise from different religious and philosophical foundations, our dialogue revealed important shared convictions:
• Human flourishing begins with the formation of virtuous, compassionate, and responsible individuals. Personal transformation, ethical living, and care for others are the foundations of healthy families, communities, and societies.
• A just and peaceful society depends on leadership rooted in integrity, humility, service, and concern for the common good. Good institutions matter, but they can truly serve society only when guided by moral wisdom and public responsibility.
• Care for the vulnerable, future generations, and our common home is both a moral and spiritual responsibility. We are called to foster ways of living that promote solidarity, respect for creation, and integral development.
• Hope for a better world calls us to work together through the trials and imperfections of the present. Both traditions encourage perseverance, moral courage, and confidence that a more humane and harmonious future can be built.
• In this great era of Artificial Intelligence, grounded in the Confucian spirit of benevolence （仁，ren/inn) and the Christian value of love, we strive to ensure that all technological progress actively enhance human dignity and ethical values.
At the same time, we recognize that Christians and Confucians understand ultimate reality, human fulfillment, and the transformation of society in different ways. These differences are not barriers to friendship; rather, they invite deeper listening, mutual learning, humility, and continued dialogue.
Our conversations also addressed pressing challenges facing today’s world, including social fragmentation, loneliness, forced migration, widening inequality, environmental degradation, war and discriminations and the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These challenges cannot be met by technology or economics alone; they require ethical wisdom, spiritual depth, a sense of community, and a renewed commitment to the dignity of every human person and the common good.
We therefore encourage continued Christian–Confucian collaboration through research, education, dialogue, and practical initiatives, especially by engaging young people and exploring together the ethical implications of emerging technologies.
As we return to our communities, we renew our commitment:
• to deepen friendship and dialogue between Confucians and Christians;
• to promote societies rooted in compassion, justice, harmony, and shared responsibility;
• to work together for the flourishing of humanity and the whole community of life.
With heartfelt gratitude to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, the Confucian Academy of Korea (Sungkyunkwan), Sogang University, the Apostolic Nunciature in the Republic of Korea, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and all who contributed to this historic gathering, we dedicate the fruits of this Colloquium to the continued growth of friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation. We also express our sincere appreciation for the generous and warm hospitality extended to us by our hosts throughout our stay. Together, we pledge to continue building a world where every person and every grassroots community can live in dignity, peace, hope, and harmony.
Participants of the First Christian–Confucian Colloquium
Seoul, Republic of Korea
5 August 2026
