In 1991, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue invited Catholics to participate in a variety of forms of dialogue with members of other religious traditions. In their statement “Dialogue and Proclamation,” they argued that religious dialogue is not a task reserved for theological experts. Dialogue is the responsibility of every Christian.
As Cardinal Cupich and Metropolitan Nathanael of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago undertook a pilgrimage to Constantinople and Rome from Feb. 27 to March 4, they engaged in three of these forms of dialogue, albeit as fellow Christians walking the path toward unity, not as members of different religious traditions.
How might their model of dialogue in friendship invite all Christians to consider their own involvement in pursuing unity among Christ’s disciples?
First, the dialogue of life calls people to “strive to live in an open and neighborly spirit, sharing their joys and sorrows, their human problems and preoccupations” (DP, 42). We know from experience that when we spend extended time with others, share meals together, see and discuss things of value, we better understand them and their outlook on life.
As Cardinal Cupich and Metropolitan Nathanael traveled to Turkey and Italy, met with local and international leaders and visited Orthodox and Catholic holy sites, there were ample opportunities to share their joys and hopes, as well as contemporary challenges they face. In this way, traveling in a neighborly spirit, they participated in the dialogue of life to which we are all called.
Second, the dialogue of action asks that “Christians and others collaborate for the integral development and liberation of people” (DP, 42). An important component of their trip was a visit to Borgo Laudato Si’ at the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo.
As noted on its website, “The main objective of this project is to transform the beauty of the gardens of Villa Barberini and the Pontifical Villas into a place of training in integral ecology, open to all people of good will.”
This visit, hosted by the managing director of the Laudato Si’ Higher Education Training Center, Father Manuel Dorantes of the Archdiocese of Chicago, showed the personal support of the cardinal and the metropolitan for efforts aimed at caring for God’s creation.
It also shined a light on the collective, pioneering efforts of Greek Orthodox and Catholic Christians in integral ecology from a Christian perspective. In so doing, they invited all Christians to consider the role they play in creation care and how they might participate in the dialogue of action through their own advocacy efforts.
Third, through the dialogue of religious experience, “persons, rooted in their own religious traditions, share their spiritual riches” (DP, 42) with others. The cardinal and the metropolitan had the distinct honor of joining Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople for a private audience and Sunday Divine Liturgy.
This latter experience was an opportunity for Cardinal Cupich to experience the beauty of Orthodox liturgy presided over by the spiritual leader of the Orthodox community.
During their time in Rome, the cardinal and metropolitan enjoyed a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, who of course shares a deep connection with the city of Chicago. In a gesture of respect and gratitude, the two leaders also traveled to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome to pray and lay flowers at the tomb of Pope Francis.
After this visit, Metropolitan Nathanael traveled to Assisi, where he spent time with the Catholic community there, joining them for prayer and meditation at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Through this dialogue of spiritual exchange, the cardinal and metropolitan shared the spiritual riches of their own Christian tradition with each other. In this interchange, they came to witness the beauty in another Christian church while coming to know their own tradition better through gifting it to a friend.
In all these ways, this was a pilgrimage between two friends and influential Christian leaders that advanced the cause of unity among Christians. It was also an invitation for local Christians to reassess their own commitment to pursuing the unity Christ desires for his disciples. How are we contributing to the dialogue of life, action and spiritual experience in our local community?
You don’t have to travel halfway around the world or get a theological degree to engage in fruitful dialogue with fellow Christians. May you find time to ponder the unifying model of friendship displayed by Cardinal Cupich and Metropolitan Nathanael as you continue your Lenten journey. Perhaps it will inspire you to enter into dialogue in new ways in the future.