St. Patrick's College Maynooth THE PROSPECTS OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN THE LIGHT AND TEACHINGS OF THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL: CONTEXTUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS IN NIGERIA A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Theology in Partial Fulfilment of the Conditions for the Doctoral Degree in Theology By Yusuf Dominic Bamai Supervisor: Dr. Padraig Joseph Corkery Maynooth August 2019 TABLE OF CONTENT DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………………….x DECLARATION…………………………………………………………………………xi ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………………………xii ABBREVIATIONS………………………………………………………………………xiv GENERAL INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………1 CHAPTER ONE CHALLENGES TO CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE AND RELATIONS IN NIGERIA: SITUATING THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE 1.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………5 1.2 Religion and the Nigerian State and Politics…………………………………………5 1.3 Cultural Diversity and Ethnicity in Nigeria: The Role of Religion……………….12 1.4 Religious Freedom and Equality in Nigeria………………………………………...17 1.5 Religious Discrimination in Nigeria…………………………………………………19 1.6 The Problem of Bribery and Corruption in Nigeria……………………………….25 1.7 Religious Insurgences/Terrorism and Fanaticisms in Nigeria…………………….27 1.7.1 Boko Haram Fanaticism and Insurgency …………………………………………...28 1.7.2 Herdsmen Activities of Terrorism in Nigeria……………………………………….33 1.8 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………36 CHAPTER TWO HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO INTERFAITH DIALOGUE: PROMULGATION AND TEACHINGS OF NOSTRA AETATE AND VATICAN II ON INTERFAITH DIALOGUE SECTION A: HISTORICAL FOUNDATION 2.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….39 2.2 Background and Foundation of Interfaith Dialogue………………………………...40 i 2.3 Developments Leading to the Publication of Nostra Aetate…………………………45 1. Preparation and Planning of the Draft………………………………………………45 2. The Final Draft and Promulgation of the Declaration………………………………53 2.4 Section's Conclusion……………………………………………………………………54 SECTION B: THEOLOGY OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE 2.5 Overview of Nostra Aetate……………………………………………………………..55 Section one: Introduction to the Document………………………………………………..57 Section two: The Hidden Truth in Every Religion…………………………………………58 Section three: The Church and Islam………………………………………………………59 Section four: The Ancestral Root of Christianity with Judaism…………………………...59 Section five: The Brotherhood of all Religions……………………………………………60 Approaches to Interfaith Dialogue………………………………………………………...61 Exclusivism………………………………………………………………………………...61 Inclusivism…………………………………………………………………………………62 Pluralism……………………………………………………………………………………62 2.5.1 Theology and Principles of Interreligious Dialogue from Nostra Aetate……………63 a) Theology of Human Origin and Destiny………………………………………….65 b) Theology of faith and Revelation…………………………………………………68 c) The Principle of Peace and Justice………………………………………………..69 2.6. Declaration on Religious Freedom ‘Dignitatis Humanae’………………………..71 2.6.1 The Limits to Religious Freedom…………………………………………………..76 2.6.2 The Principles of Religious Freedom in Relation to Interfaith Dialogue…………..77 a) The Dignity of the Human Person and Its Importance to Interreligious Dialogue……………………………………………………………77 b) The Place of Conscience in the Search for Religious Truth and Interreligious ii Dialogue ………………………………………………………………………….79 c) The Common Good and the welfare of all in Relation to Interreligious Dialogue…………………………………………………………………………..81 2.7 Lumen Gentium and Interfaith Dialogue…………………………………………..82 1. The People of God: Its Relevance to Interreligious Dialogue…………………………83 2. The universal call to holiness: An Invitation to Interreligious Dialogue………………85 3. The Pilgrim Church in Relation to other Religions……………………………………88 4. The Blessed Virgin Mary and Dialogue between Christians and Muslims……………89 2.8 Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes)...91 2.8.1 Part One-Human Situation in the World: The Dignity of the Human Person……...92 2.8.1.2 The Community of Mankind and Man's Activity in the World: The Search for the Truth………………………………………………………….93 2.8.2 Part two- Some Problems of Special Urgency: The Fostering of Peace and the Promotion of a Community of Nations…………………………………..95 2.9 The General Principles Interfaith Dialogue in Vatican II and Conclusion……..96 2.9.1 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………99 CHAPTER THREE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE POPES AND THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTER- RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE (PCID) SINCE THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL 3.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………101 PART ONE: CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE POST VATICAN II POPES 3.2 Pope Paul VI, (1963-1978)…………………………………………………………….101 3.3 Pope John Paul II, (1978-2005)………………………………………………………. 105 3.4 Pope Benedict XVI 2005-2013………………………………………………………...114 iii 3.5 Pope Francis (2013- Date)……………………………………………………………..122 3.6 Evaluation and Conclusion of Part One……………………………………………...128 PART TWO: THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE SECTION ONE ……………………………….131 3.7 Documents and Contributions of the PCID………………………………………….135 3.7.1 The Church and other Religions: Dialogue and Mission, 1984. …………………….136 a. 'Dialogue as Mission and Conversion'……………………………………...137 b. 'Dialogue to build the Reign of God's kingdom on Earth'…………………139 3.7.2 Dialogue and Proclamation, 1991……………………………………………………141 3.7.3 Dialogue in Truth and Charity: Pastoral Orientations for Interreligious Dialogue, 2014……………………………………………………………………146 Chapter One: The Church and Inter-Religious Dialogue………………………….148 Chapter Two: The dynamics of Inter-Religious Dialogue…………………………149 Chapter Three: Specific Areas of Interest in Inter-Religious Dialogue……………152 3.7.4 Section Evaluation and Conclusion………………………………………………….155 SECTION TWO 3.8 The PCID and Muslims in the World: Ramadan Messages………………………..158 3.8.1 The Unity and Solidarity between the Catholic Church and Muslims……………….159 3.8.2 Christians and Muslims Promoting Peace in the World……………………………...163 3.8.3 The Role of Education in Confronting the Challenges of Wars and Violence, and in Developing Peace in the world…………………………………….167 3.8.4 Section Conclusion……………………………………………………………………171 SECTION THREE 3.9 Francis Cardinal Arinze, President of the PCID, 1984-2002……………………….173 3.9.1 Solidarity for Peace among the Religions of the World………………………………174 iv 3.9.2 The Urgent Necessity for Interreligious Dialogue in the World……………………179 3.9.3 The Risks and Prospects of Interreligious Dialogue: Nature of Dialogue…………186 3.9.4 Conclusion on Arinze………………………………………………………………191 3.10 Chapter Conclusion…………………………………………………………………192 CHAPTER FOUR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT 4.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………….194 PART ONE 4.2 The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria and Dialogue with Muslims…………………….196 4.2.1 Mutual Relationship between Christians and Muslims and Social Transformation in Nigeria………………………………………………………….196 4.2.2 Religious Manipulation by Individuals for Selfish Interest in Nigeria…………….199 4.2.3 Religious Domination and Competition in Nigeria………………………………...202 4.2.4 Freedom and Non-Discrimination of Religion in Nigeria………………………….207 4.2.5 The Family Model: Symbol of Christians-Muslims Unity in Nigeria……………...212 4.2.6 Solidarity for Social Justice through Dialogue in Nigeria………………………….216 4.2.7 Promotion of Human Dignity in Nigeria………………………………………….. 219 4.2.8 The Relevance of Education in Peace/Nation Building ……………………………221 4.2.9 Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria…………………………………………………………………224 4.2.10 The Security and the Defence/Protection of Human Life in Nigeria……………..227 4.2.11 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...231 PART TWO 4.3 Interfaith Dialogue in Nigeria: Contributions of Theologians and Scholars……234 4.3.1 Peace building and Reconciliation in Nigeria: Christian and Muslim Perspectives..234 v a. Christian Perspective………………………………………………………………..235 b. Islamic Perspective on Peace ………………………………………………………238 c. Peace Building and Reconciliation in Nigeria………………………………………241 4.3.2 Dialogue of Life in Nigeria…………………………………………………………...247 4.3.2.1 Dialogue of Relationships and Daily Encounter……………………………………252 4.3.2.2 Dialogue of Common Action………………………………………………………253 4.3.3 Christian and Muslim Women Dialogue in Nigeria…………………………………255 4.3.4 Unity of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria: Christian and Muslim Leaders Working Together …………………………………………………………259 4.3.5 Collaboration of Religious Leaders…………………………………………………264 a. Promotion of Education…………………………………………………………...267 b. Economic Development……………………………………………………………271 c. Politics and Good Governance in Nigeria…………………………………………272 4.3.6 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...273 4.4 Chapter Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..275 CHAPTER FIVE THEOLOGICAL INPUTS AND PROSPECTS OF CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM RELATIONS/DIALOGUE IN NIGERIA 5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….277 5.2 An Evaluation of the Theological Insights: Application to Nigeria…………………278 5.3 The Nature of God: A Central Theme for Interfaith Dialogue in Nigeria…………279 5.3.1 The God of Justice: Promoting Justice and Equality in Nigeria………………………281 5.3.2 The God of Love and Peace: Christians and Muslims Response in Nigeria………….284 5.4 The Dignity of the Human Person: Christian-Muslim Response in Nigeria……………287 vi 5.4.1 The Defence and Protection of Human Life: Security of Lives and Properties in Nigeria……………………………………………………………………291 5.4.2 Welfare of Human Life: Good Governance and the Common Good in Nigeria …….294 5.4.2.1 The Fight against Bribery and Corruption in Nigeria……………………………….300 5.4.3 Tackling Religious Discrimination in Nigeria………………………………………...302