A Climate of True Friendship and Mutual Edification
I initially thought conversion would be a difficult topic to address, given the fervor with which religiously inspired people have tried and continue to try to persuade others to convert to their own faith tradition, sometimes doing so with violence. But this controversial subject did not give rise to belligerent exchanges. Over the years, our knowledge and appreciation of one another have grown, along with appropriate self-criticism. We have created a climate of true friendship and even good humor. We are concerned for what the other has to undergo and we are particularly respectful for each other's prayer traditions. In fact, Dr. Shomali told me toward the end of our meeting that in a letter to a friend he said that our dialogue had evolved to the point where we could address any topic without fearing that we would end up quarreling with one another.
The theme of conversion was viewed from many different angles—spiritual, monastic, historical, psychological, and philosophical—ethical in particular. We also spoke about apostasy and conversion to another faith tradition. There were several opportunities for discussion in small groups of four or five, where people exchanged remarkably freely with each other, unrestrained and eager for a better understanding of the other in his or her tradition.
Among the highlights of each five-day event are moments when we can be present at the prayer of the other. Worshiping the One together in silence or letting the murmur of psalmody vibrate within our heart creates something new that is not recorded in any book but remains with us and permanently marks our religious experience. A special moment of prayer at Ampleforth was a memorial service at the grave of Abbot Timothy, with texts from both traditions and vivid memories of Timothy's personality. Grieving together also brings us closer together.
On the way from Ealing to Ampleforth, we stopped to visit Sister Lucy Brydon, one of the loyal members of this group who, for health reasons, can no longer participate. Her community, at the double monastery of Turvey near Bedford, belongs to the Olivetan Congregation and is committed to the mission of ecumenism. It has a close relationship to the Benedictines of Schotenhof, near Antwerp. Everyone at Turvey knew Mother Erica well, and one of the sisters is of Flemish descent. She came to Turvey “on loan” for six months but now has been there for more than half a century! We joined the community at their Sunday Mass, taking our place among the guests, many of whom are regulars at the Sunday liturgy. This was a very moving moment of mutual fellowship as we listened to and reflected on the gospel of the two sons and their good father (Lk 15).
In London we were invited to the large Islamic Centre of England, a centre for both study and prayer where Dr. Shomali is resident Imam and director. I was asked to speak about Wisdom in the Bible to a group of forty students who were taking a course on Wisdom in the Qur’ān. The hospitality these Muslims showed us by allowing us to teach in their study centre is surely indicative of their great openness toward us and of their confidence that the purpose of our coming together is mutual edification, not proselytism.
As I mentioned at the beginning, one sign of our friendship with one another is that we are able to share and appreciate “insider” humor. One of the Muslim participants told us that shortly after 9/11, someone in the Los Angeles area hailed a taxi that was driven by a Sikh. Anticipating that his passenger might be fearful because of the headdress he was wearing, the driver said, “Don’t worry; I’m not a Muslim,” to which the passenger replied, “You don’t have to worry either, because I am a Muslim.”
Benoît Standaert OSB
