Pablo BlancoUnity makes the Gospel message more credible".Ecumenism, the path to peace"Young people are needed to resist the aging of the soul."Cardinal Mendonça to young people: "Life is a waste if we live half-heartedly".On February 13 and 14, the Palacio de Congresos de Córdoba will host the II Jornadas Interreligiosas, which this year focuses on the youngest, as indicated by its slogan ".Young people and spiritualities".
For two days, various speakers from different religious denominations will address topics of interest such as social networks, testimonies, love and the presence of God in personal life, all from the perspective of youth. The registration is open for those who wish to participate.
The promoter of this conference, the young priest from Cordoba, Antonio Navarro, delegate of Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue of a diocese marked by its intercultural DNA, explains to Omnes that, although young people are growing up in an increasingly multicultural environment, "being young does not always mean knowing how to listen and respect" and work in this field is always necessary.
Nowadays, when they say that it is difficult to find young people committed to their faith, why embark on a congress like this one, with young people of different religious denominations?
-We embarked on this project because there are many young people who live their spiritual life, their relationship with God, with depth and enthusiasm, and do so without "leaving" their environments and their daily lives, but inserting their faith in those contexts that are often distant from religion.
Being of different faiths, there are considerable differences between them, but also today's world presents them with a series of common challenges and obstacles, such as materialism, secularism, superficiality... They have many ideas and experiences on these issues, with a fresh and interesting vision.
What can young people bring to a perhaps more "brainy" or expert topic such as interfaith dialogue?
-The problem is to consider that interreligious dialogue is something "for experts". The Magisterium of the Catholic Church clearly indicates (Dialogue and MissionNo. 28-35) that interreligious dialogue has four modes. One is that of daily coexistence, in which people of different religions have positive relationships in work, leisure, family and friendships... Another is that of spirituality, sharing the experience that each one has of their morals and their forms of prayer. One more is that of solidarity and peace building, collaborating in favor of a more just and fraternal society, in joint actions. The last of these is that of specialists, which will have no meaning or fruit if it is not preceded by the three previous ones. What would be the point of religious leaders meeting if ordinary believers do not talk to each other?
Do you think it is easier - or the other way around - for young people to live together with their families?with people of other faiths?
-In general, the new generations have grown up in a more varied and plural world, have spent time abroad, and are accustomed to living with people from other countries, cultures and religions.
However, this does not preclude the emergence of fundamentalist movements among them, which lead to intolerance and prejudice. Just as an advanced age is fully compatible with an open and courteous mind, being young is not always the same as knowing how to listen and respect.
Today, a good number of young people are becoming more and more polarized, conceiving a world fragmented into clashing and irreconcilable identities, especially in ideological and political issues.
What are your concerns?
-The fundamental ones are those of every human being: to love and be loved in a sentimental project that is worthwhile, and to have a role in society through a job with which to become independent.
This is not easy today, since the bonds of loving commitment are fragile and fickle, there is no family stability and much less job stability, with jobs that, demanding great training and dedication, are poorly paid.
Maintain the hope is complicated for many of them. The legal framework does not defend those who want to create a family, and the temptation of individualism is great.
The congress will discuss love, social networks, faith, testimonies... Why are these topics important in interreligious dialogue?
-We could talk about many more, in fact, some have been left out. The topics have been chosen according to what young believers usually tell us. To a certain extent, it could be said that they are not only the actors of the dialogue in these Days, but also the creators who contributed the ideas and we, the official organizers, have only given them shape.
II Interfaith Conference
The II Interreligious Conference "Spirit of Cordoba", promoted and coordinated by the Palacio de Congresos of Cordoba, where they are held, aims to bring interreligious knowledge to the participants.
Together with the young faithful of the Catholic Church, the Islamic Board of Cordoba, the Federation of Jewish Communities and Evangelical Religious entities are participating in the Conference.
February 13 will begin with the panel discussion "When God changes your life" followed by the second block of that day entitled "Our commitment to create a more caring society"; the third block of the second day of the meeting is "Love in times of Tinder" and a fourth block is dedicated to reflect on the transmission of faith in each of the religions under the title "Transmission of faith: between proselytizing and witnessing".
Finally, block number five will be held on the 14th under the title "Internet and social networks, a barrier or a bridge?
