Catholic Diocese Of Joliet

Bishop Conlon talks about Vatican II Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions of the Second Vatican Council: Nostra Aetate ("In Our Age"). The declaration addresses people who belong to world religions. Historically, we Catholics have proclaimed the Gospel and invited people from other religions to see Jesus as Lord and Savior. We looked at people who belong to other world religions as objects of conversion. But, the Vatican II Council bishops wrote that we need to look at them as people who have been given as grace of faith. They share a belief in God, and that belief is to be respected. The bishops mention Hinduism and Buddhism, and the Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. They often have a ray, a truth, that enlightens all men. But the Church proclaims Christ as the way, the truth and the light. It is important that the Church enters into collaborations and discussions with other religions to try for mutual understanding.