Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale466

and his hidden destiny, truth about the world, truth which we discover in the

Word of God ».2

Human beings seek answers to some of the fundamental existential ques-

tions: What is the origin and destiny of human beings? What are good and

evil? What awaits human beings at the end of their earthly existence? All

people have a natural duty and a moral obligation to seek the truth. Once it

is known, they are bound to adhere to it and to order their whole lives in

accordance with its demands.3

Dear friends, « Caritas Christi urget nos ».4 It is the love of Christ which

impels the Church to reach out to every human being without distinction,

beyond the borders of the visible Church. The source of the Church's mission

is Divine Love. This love is revealed in Christ and made present through the

action of the Holy Spirit. All the Church's activities are to be imbued with

love.5 Thus, it is love that urges every believer to listen to the other and seek

areas of collaboration. It encourages Christian partners in dialogue with the

followers of other religions to propose, but not impose, faith in Christ who is

« the way, the truth, and the life ».6 As I said in my recent Encyclicals, the

Christian faith has shown us that « truth, justice and love are not simply

ideals, but enormously weighty realities ».7 For the Church, « charity is not

a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is a

part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being ».8

The great proliferation of interreligious meetings around the world today

calls for discernment. In this regard, I am pleased to note that during these

days you have reflected on pastoral orientations for interreligious dialogue.

Since the Second Vatican Council, attention has been focused on the spiritual

elements which different religious traditions have in common. In many ways,

this has helped to build bridges of understanding across religious boundaries.

I understand that during your discussions you have been considering some of

the issues of practical concern in interreligious relations: the identity of the

partners in dialogue, religious education in schools, conversion, proselytism,

reciprocity, religious freedom, and the role of religious leaders in society.

2 Evangelii Nuntiandi, 78. 3 Cfr Nostra Aetate, 1 and Dignitatis Humanae, 2. 4 2 Cor 5:14. 5 Cfr Ad Gentes, 2-5; Evangelii Nuntiandi, 26, and Dialogue and Mission, 9. 6 Jn 14:16. 7 Spe Salvi, 39. 8 Deus Caritas est, 25.