A delegation of Iranian Muslims has compared their experience of being women with that of Italian Catholics. On February 18th, Catholic Action and the Italian Women Theologians Coordination hosted the discussion with a visiting Muslim theologian and a government official. Their dialogue with Catholic theologians was requested by the Iranian Embassy to the Holy See.

“They insisted very much on the idea that the Italian group of women were Catholics because … they told us that we could find some points in common, especially about the moral values.”

“The first goal is this dialogue, knowing each other and respecting each other, which is not a secondary point. But also listening to each other, because sometimes we also have this stereotyped idea that whatever comes from Iran is radical or fundamentalist.”

Theologian Fariba Allasvand explained, “Our belief is that women have several dimensions. … A woman can be first a good wife, a loving mother and also be a part of the educational role.” Tahere Nazari, Director General of international women, children and family issues for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added that combining domestic and social roles has been the greatest challenge faced by Iranian women in the past 30 years. The delegation described positive Christan-Muslim relations in their country, noting collaborations with Catholic religious congregations. Allasvand and Nazari were also invited to the Pontifical Gregorian University during their stay in Rome.

Gospel for Sunday, March 29th

John 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”

Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

 

Pope Benedict XVI: Vatican state works for progress

In its 80 year history the Vatican State has proved itself to be adaptable and capable of rising to both past and future challenges: be they related to the Pope’s mission, the Church’s needs or the constantly changing situation in society. Pope Benedict’s remarks came in an address to participants at the seminar held in Rome, marking the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts signed on February the 11th, 1929. The Pope especially praised the far-sighted work carried out by Pope Pius the XI, who wanted the Treaty in order to give the church full independence. Today the Vatican State, with its treasures of faith, history and art, is the custodian of a precious heritage for all mankind. And from its heart at the tomb of St. Peter, where the Pope resides, it raises an unceasing message of true social progress, hope, reconciliation, and peace.