“Pathways to Peace in the Abrahamic Faiths”
Jewish-Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Fairfield, Connecticut April 28-30, 2003

The Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) of Sacred Heart University sponsored a timely symposium April 28-30, 2003, on the University's Fairfield, Connecticut campus. The symposium of Jewish, Christian and Islamic scholars and leaders, “Pathways to Peace in the Abrahamic Faiths,” is part of CCJU's ongoing work to promote peace through dialogue and understanding.

Pioneeers in interreligious dialogue, Rabbi A. James Rudin and Dr. Judith Banki, participate at the Pathways to Peace conference.

 

The purpose of the conference was for leaders and scholars in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions to identify those teachings and values in each tradition that promote peace, the failures of each tradition to live up to their ideals, and ways to improve the teachings and practices to achieve peace. The conference did this and so much more. The participants and observers left with many questions answered and with a commitment to continue discussions such as these and open them up to larger audiences.


Rabbi Samuel Sirat, former Chief Rabbi of France; Professor Adolphe Steg, president of the Israeli Alliance of France

In particular, the paper written by Archbishop Fitzgerald, president of the Vatican's Council for Interreligious Dialogue set the tone on the first evening by challenging all to be faithful to the true tenets of each faith, not those of extremists. His paper, the annual CCJU Lecture in memory of former Board member, Hal Lustig, stressed the witness and joint responsibility of the monotheistic religions to work for social justice and theological dialogue.

Imam W. Deen Mohammed, leader of the American Society of Muslims





Jewish presenters included: Rabbi Samuel Sirat, former Chief Rabbi of France; Professor Adolphe Steg, president of the Israeli Alliance of France; and Rabbi Rene Gutman, Rabbi of Strasbourg, France. The Christian presenters were Dr. James G. Williams, professor emeritus of Religion, Syracuse University, New York; and Reverend Jean Dujardin, former secretary of the Episcopal Committee of the Conference of French Bishops, Paris. Dr. Azizah Al-Hibri, professor at the University of Richmond Law School, Virginia, and Dr. Louay Safi, Muslim Social Scientists, Herndon, Virginia, presented “Muslim Pathways to Peace.” All the presentations were candid and self-critical. Each group acknowledged the difficulties of terrorism and were resolved to stop such distortions of their religion, especially through education.

Imam W. Deen Mohammed, leader of the American Society of Muslims (Chicago), delivered a special lecture to the Sacred Heart University community on the topic, “Building Bridges of Peace and Justice.” Several hundred were in attendance for this presentation as he suggested ways that the three faiths could improve their relations.

Participants Dr. Vivienne S. Angeles and Rev. Vincent Heier

At the conclusion of the conference, the 40 participants left with a feeling of hope as well as a greater understanding of each religion and each other. If the letters of encouragement and thanks that we have received thus far are any indication, these scholars and religious leaders will undoubtedly continue to teach what they have learned for years to come. 

The papers from this conference are being integrated into a curriculum guide that will build upon the other important work done at the 1998 conference held in Auschwitz, Poland, that resulted in the book, Religion and Violence, Religion and Peace (Sacred Heart University Press, 2000).

List of Invited Participants:

• Dr. Azizah Al-Hibri, University of Virginia Law School
• Imam Luqman Abdush-Shahid, Community Outreach Services, E. Elmhurst, New York
• Dr. Vivienne S. Angeles, La Salle University, Pennsylvania 
• Mrs. Linda Barotta, Summit, New Jersey 
• Dr. Dalil Boubakeur, Muslim Institute of the Mosque of Paris 
• Dr. Patrice C. Brodeur, Connecticut College 
• Dr. Amila Buturovic, York University, Canada 
• Dr. Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D., Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut 
• Dr. David L. Coppola, Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding of Sacred Heart University 
• Fr. Jean Dujardin, former Secretary of the Episcopal Committee of the Conference of French Bishops, Paris 
• Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding of Sacred Heart University 
• Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City 
• Rabbi Ron Fish, Congregation Beth El, Norwalk, Connecticut 
• Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, Connecticut 
• Mrs. Blu Greenberg, Riverdale, New York 
• Rabbi Rene Gutman, Rabbi of Strasbourg, France 
• Rev. Vincent Heier, Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri 
• Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz, Temple Sholom, Greenwich, Connecticut 
• Dr. Mary Evelyn Jegen, SND, Trinity College, Washington, DC 
• Dr. Ibrahim Kalin, College of the Holy Cross, Worchester, Massachusetts 
• Dr. Tazim R. Kassam, Syracuse University, New York 
• Rev. John Kidd, Council of Churches, Bridgeport, Connecticut 
• Most Reverend Bishop Basil Losten, Bishop, Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, Connecticut 
• Rabbi Gabriel Mazer, Westport, Connecticut 
• Imam W. Deen Mohammed, American Society of Muslims, Chicago 
• Imam Izak-El Mu'eed Pasha, Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, New York 
• Dr. Betty A. Reardon, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York 
• Dr. Richard Rubenstein, president emeritus, University of Bridgeport, Connecticut 
• Rabbi A. James Rudin, American Jewish Committee and Saint Leo's University, Florida 
• Dr. Louay M. Safi, Muslim Social Scientists, Herndon, Virginia 
• Rabbi Samuel Sirat, former Chief Rabbi of France 
• Professor Ady Steg, president of the Israeli Alliance, Paris 
• Rev. Wilfred L. Tyrrell, S.A., Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Archdiocese of New York, New York 
• Rabbi Leon Waldman, Congregation Beth El, Fairfield, Connecticut 
• Dr. James G. Williams, Syracuse University, New York

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