One resolution from Vatican on Islam:
The Roman Catholic Church in 1965 renovated considerably both internally and externally. Their process for doing so was a synad (governing conference) called the Second Vatican Council. I found the following area paragraphs germane to Islam. In the following paragraphs, the Second Vatican Council opines.
She [The Catholic Church] 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…. The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men.
The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They
adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-
powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take
pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as
Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself,
submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him
as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call
on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will
render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead.
Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer,
almsgiving and fasting.
Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.
…. The Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of
Christ, any discrimination against men or harassment of them because of their
race, color, condition of life, or religion.
This reformation binds justice – certainly a welcome word.
For a more complete look at this declaration in the Vatican 2 online archive, mouse this link.
Courtesy of Clay Chip Smith, 2003.01.25