Bishop Madden Sends Greetings To Muslim Community At Ramadan’s End

WASHINGTON—Bishop Denis Madden,auxiliary bishop of Baltimore and chairman of the Committee on Ecumenical andInterreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) senta message of support and friendship, August 17, to the U.S. Muslim community tomark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of prayer and fasting. Ramadanconcludes the evening of August 18 this year.

Bishop Madden's message echoed theAugust 3 statement of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the PontificalCouncil for Interreligious Dialogue.

Fulltext of Bishop Madden's letter follows:

Dear Muslim Friends,

It is with great joy that I share with you the annualmessage of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for the end ofRamadan (`Id al-Fitr 1433 H. /2012 A.D.) entitled Educating young Christians and Muslims for justice and peace (see www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20120803_ramadan2012_en.html).

In addition to Cardinal Tauran's message, I would like toadd my own greetings. First, I would simply offer a greeting of peace and mycongratulations on the conclusion of your month-long vigil of fasting, prayer,and works of mercy in service to the one God who rules over us all withbenevolence and who daily conveys to the world His abundant blessings!

Second, having worked with many of you over a long period oftime and so having been a witness to the great trust that has been establishedin our creative work together, I would like to exhort us all to continue ourendeavors in the hope of preparing a sure foundation for the coming generationsof American Christians and Muslims. They look to us for guidance and as exemplarsof the peace and harmony intrinsic to productive, positive interreligious work.

Third, I would like to add to Cardinal Tauran's remarks oneducation that we also keep close to our own work in the dialogues the need forsupporting one another's endeavors to safeguard religious freedom, which oftenseems to be threatened in the modern public square. Together let us commit tojoining our voices in support of religious liberty, both for our fellowChristians and Muslims today and for those who will come after us.

Finally, on behalf of the Bishops' Committee for Ecumenicaland Interreligious Affairs, please accept our continued support and pledge offriendship as we move forward together standing shoulder to shoulder in lovingservice and fidelity to God.

Happy `Id al-Fitr to you all!

Bishop Denis Madden

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Keywords: Catholic-Muslim dialogue, Islam, Bishop DenisMadden, Ramadan, community, friendship, support, Committee on Ecumenical andInterreligious Affairs, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops, Christians, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, education

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