All rights reserved The Vatican document Dominus Iesus has been poorly received by Christians and non-Christians with whom Catholics have been in dialogue for the last 35 years. Although experts will debate its theological arguments in the months to come, it was the general tone of the document that upset most of our dialogue partners. They felt they were not being treated with respect as equal partners in dialogue. While theological precision is an essential part of any ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, so too is courtesy.
Courtesy goes beyond strict laws and regulations.
Paul the Apostle possessed this social grace or magnanimity. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. There is in Paul's approach the model for authentic ecumenical and interreligious exchanges. Paul addressed the Athenians with utter courtesy, openly affirming the good that he found in them. He revealed his love for the Athenians as he talked to them.