Krzysztof Bronk – Vatican
They need a different approach
Neymont, former director of the Press Office of the French Bishops’ Conference, emphasizes that Muslims who are knocking on the Church’s door today are a special category of people who require a different approach. Their unique history, culture, expectations, and the environment from which they come must be taken into account.
Courses for pastoral workers
Mission Ismérie offers, among other things, special courses for pastoral workers and lay people involved in parish life, so that they can talk to Muslims and welcome them into the Church community. Neymont emphasizes that priests and bishops are increasingly looking favorably upon this activity.
Dialogue does not exclude proclaiming Christ
He admits that Mission Ismérie is sometimes treated with some suspicion. It is accused of an anti-Muslim stance, contrary to the spirit of dialogue. Neymont assures, however, that his association’s activity does not contradict the need for interreligious dialogue with Islam, in which the Church has been involved for over 50 years. “We only want to say that alongside dialogue, there is also room for the evangelization of Muslims, their reception, and appropriate accompaniment,” adds Neymont in an interview with the weekly Famille Chrétienne.
