Building Bridges

Today, more and more people of different religions have the chance to meet. How should they interact with each other so that they foster mutual understanding and respect? What problems might this new world of dialogue create? Will it lead to compromising ones faith? Cardinal Francis Arinze answers these and many other timely questions in this engaging and enlightening interview.


There is no more articulate or stronger voice for authentic and productive interreligious dialogue than that of Cardinal Arinze. In the face of religious extremism, increased secularism, and the inequities of globalization, collaborative action to address key global challenges is perhaps the best way for religious communities to achieve what Cardinal Arinze describes as the ultimate goal mutual encouragement in our search for God.

Dr. William F. Vendley
Secretary GeneralWorld Conference of Religions for Peace


Firmly convinced that there is no alternative for interreligious dialogue, Cardinal Arinze answers questions for even the most reluctant Christian. He responds with the facility, conviction, and clarity that exemplified his years as President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Cardinal Arinze engages in a discussion and debate on several of the now persistent questions.

John Borelli
Georgetown University



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Nigeria in 1932, was ordained a priest in 1958, and was named bishop in 1965 and archbishop of Ontisha in 1967. In 1984, Pope John Paul II chose him to be president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, where he served until 2002. In 1985, Arinze was made a cardinal.