Friday, June 3, 2011

Vatican Official Backs Interculturalism

multiculturalismOf or relating to a social or educational theory that encourages interest in many cultures within a society rather than in only a mainstream culture. Multiculturalism is a body of thought in political philosophy about the proper way to respond to cultural and religious diversity.

interculturalism - Aims at managing integration in pluricultural societies or nations while respecting diversity, hence building on a commitment both to pluralism and to fundamental liberal democratic principles.

 

ROME, JUNE 3, 2011 - Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers president Archbishop Antonio Veglio says that it’s time to speak of interculturalism instead of multiculturalism.

Archbishop Vegliò made this proposal at a conference on the Christian-Jewish-Muslim interfaith dialogue, under way through Friday in Hungary. The conference is sponsored by the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, and includes a variety of high-level representatives from the three monotheistic religions.

Archbishop Vegliò addressed “Common Values in the Ambit of the Religious and Social Impact of Migrations,” stressing that education and dialogue are the two key instruments for a new model of life based on interculturalism.

The prelate, who will be in Hungary through Monday for a pastoral visit at the invitation of Monsignor Janos Szekely, the Hungarian bishops’ official for the ministry to migrants and travelers, noted how Europe is a historically multi-cultural reality. (Read more)