“Mutual respect is the condition and, at the same time, the aim of interreligious dialogue.” -Pope Francis

Goals and Activities of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

In a 1967 decree Pope Paul VI laid out the objectives of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (initially called the Secretariat for non-Christians): “To search for methods and ways of opening a suitable dialogue with non-Christians. It is concerned therefore that the non-Christians are known well and are justly esteemed by Christians and equally so they too may know and equally appreciate Christian doctrine and life.”

In keeping with this founding vision, the goal of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (DID) is to promote respect, mutual understanding, and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of others religious traditions. It accomplishes this by:

• supporting dialogue among Christians concerning relations with followers of other religions;
• providing resources and guidance for the work of dialogue that is being done in local Catholic Churches;
• sustaining relationships and sponsoring events that foster a spirit of dialogue and fraternity with various groups representing other religious traditions;
• encouraging the study of religions among Christians and inviting followers of other religions to study Christianity more deeply;
• promoting the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue, both at an intellectual and lived-experience level.

Learn more about interreligious dialogue.