The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself.

- Nostra Aetate, Second Vatican Council

Authentic evangelisation is sensitive to local culture and custom, always respecting the "inalienable right" of each and every person to religious freedom. Here the principle remains valid: "The Church proposes, she imposes nothing" (Redemptoris Missio, 39). Therefore, in your relations with your brothers and sisters of other religions, I encourage you to "strive to discern and wlecome whatever is good and holy in one another, so that together you can acknowledge, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral truths which alone guarantee the world's future" (cf. Address to Religious Leaders in India, 7 Nov. 1999, 3). This openness, however, can never diminish the obligation to proclaim Jesus Christ as "the way, and the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6). For the Incarnation of our Lord enriches all human values, enabling them to bear new and better fruit.

- Pope John Paul II, To the Syro-Malabar bishops of India
on the occasion of their "Ad limina" visit (13 May 2003).

Catholic Interfaith Committee (CIC)

A Subcommittee of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Our Mission Statement (Adopted by the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission, 21 st March, 2007)

Since interreligious relations are clearly acknowledged as an essential work of the Church, the Catholic Interfaith Committee (CIC) is committed to deepening dialogue and mutual respect between the Church and members of other religious traditions. The CIC aspires to promote the teachings and directives of the Second Vatican Council on interfaith dialogue, under the leadership of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne. Through fostering a spirituality which welcomes and appreciates what is positive in all religions and cultures and, indeed, in secular thought as a gift from God, the CIC promotes joint witness to the importance of religious faith in society. In this way the diverse traditions will contribute to a climate of peace in the world. The CIC has a primary responsibility to provide a high level of support, advice, service and information to the agencies and parishes of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Goals of the Catholic Interfaith Committee

• To ensure the ongoing education and development of its members in interfaith relations
• To initiate and take part in interfaith dialogue in the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
• To assist and encourage Catholics in the Archdiocese of Melbourne in interfaith dialogue.
• To share its expertise with and support other Catholic interfaith committees, networks and organizations in Australia.
• To engage in interfaith activity ecumenically where appropriate.
• To develop networks with other interfaith groups and organizations working in Melbourne and elsewhere in Australia.
• To seek adequate resources and funding to respond appropriately to the conduct of interfaith activities in the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
• To liaise with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations through the Melbourne Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission.