In a seemingly ecumenical appeal, the Vatican praised Islamic Ramadan as a means of ‘inner conversion’ and emphasized a parallel with Christian Lent. The message follows Pope Francis’ push for interfaith dialogue, which critics say downplays theological issues.
The Vatican has issued a Ramadan message to Muslims, saying that its coinciding with the Christian season of Lent is “a unique opportunity to walk, side-by-side.”
“Ramadan appears to us Catholics as a school of inner transformation,” wrote the Vatican today. “By abstaining from food and drink, Muslims learn to control their desires and turn to what is essential.”
Referencing the Catholic liturgical season of Lent, the Vatican favorably compared it to Ramadan:
These spiritual practices, though expressed differently, remind us that faith is not merely about outward expressions, but a path of inner conversion.
The passages are found in the message released today from the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue today to Muslims for the period of Ramadan. Ramadan started on March 1, and with Lent starting a few days later, an increased number of comparisons have been drawn by the Vatican and certain cardinals in apparently ecumenical attempts to align Catholicism and Islam.
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