Having lived at the heart of this cultural and human diversity, our Churches see in it one of the signs of the times, which they must interpret in the light of their faith and mission. This is how they acknowledge the call to dialogue as their primary vocation. It is also how the Church is called to be a living sign of the unity of the human family in a divided world. In the times in which we live, religions are invited to play a positive role in solving mankind's problems, instead of being a place for dispute and massacres among the children of the one human family, of the same country. The conditions for dialogue 47.
Dialogue is first of all a spiritual attitude.
Man is engaged in a dialogue with his God which elevates his soul and purifies his heart and conscience, and this is reflected in his dialogue within himself and with others, both as individuals and as communities. Dialogue with the other consists in knowing him, and acknowledging him as he sees himself. This means acknowledging him in the fullness of his personality, and welcoming him as the completion of ourselves rather than as an adversary, rival or enemy. This can be done only if all preconceived ideas, self-interest, and all kinds of egoism are rejected. In such a climate, dialogue becomes a shared wealth, and neither of the parties is required to renounde its identity or patrimony.