On July 24, the Westminster Presbyterian Church hosted a program called "The Truth about Islam: Understanding the Quran." Three prominent Central New York Muslims examined the Quran, its meaning and impact on Muslim life at home and abroad.

In light of the world situation today, this was a wonderful forum provided by Westminster to promote understanding of one another. Along the same lines, I would like to share with you a few excerpts from the following article that appeared in the June 2005 Catholic Courier.

Agreement hailed

About 350 people gathered in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester the evening of May 6 to mark the second anniversary of the Muslim-Catholic Agreement of Understanding and Cooperation, which is believed to be the only one of it's kind in the world. "Rochester is the 'Vatican' of Catholic-Muslim dialogue," according to Dr. Syeed, secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America, based in Indiana, who spoke at the event.

The Islamic Society would like to promote similar agreements elsewhere. Dr. Syeed said that Catholics and Muslims have a positive shared history that is often overlooked. For example, he said the prophet Muhammad was sheltered by his wife's Christian cousin. He also called Pope John Paul II "the fulfillment of prayers for centuries," because he renewed positive relations between the faiths. The Rev. Francis Tiso of the U.S. Catholic Bishops also spoke and said, "For some people, diversity is no obstacle," noting that America is at its best when it respects peoples' religious differences.

Muslim and Catholic leaders including Bishop Matthew H. Clark signed the agreement which pledged to affirm the rights of free speech, thought, conscience and religion; reject religious and ethnic intolerance; promote and encourage a deeper knowledge and respect for the history, tradition and sensitivities of the two faiths; promote collaboration in providing services to those in need in the Rochester community; and implement the agreement jointly.

"How many places in the world can we do what we're doing now here?" said J. Patrick O'Connor, a diocesan representative to the Christian Muslim Commission who also spoke at the event. Nine Catholic and nine Muslim representatives of the Muslim Catholic Alliance meet monthly at the Islamic Center to discuss issues of mutual concern.

"What we do here is only a drop in the ocean, but the ocean is made up of many drops," said Imam Shafiq of the Islamic Center.

Last but not least are some thought provoking words shared with us by the Rev. Dennis Shaw of Holy Family in Auburn: "Faith is first and always more important than religion. Faith begins with a belief in God. It grows into a relationship with God as a person. That means we move beyond belief to actually knowing God. Religion is always second to faith. As surely as faith is rooted in the one God, religion is as varied as the cultures and peoples of the planet. Religion is a tool to help us grow in and practice the faith. It provides us with the context and the community for the journey. Unfortunately, because religion is a human invention, it can never be as pure as faith. In fact, religion has been responsible for the most heinous acts of violence against humanity in the history of the world. Religion has a very important place as a practical vehicle for moving individuals, communities and the world forward, toward the kingdom of our God. But to put religion ahead of faith would be to practice idolatry and break the very first commandment." Thank you Father Dennis for this very helpful food for thought for all of us.

God loves you. Send me your good news.

"Let no one pull you so low as to make you hate them."- Booker T. Washington

Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She can be reached at deniseb132@yahoo.com