May 28, 1999 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The following is from Foundation magazine, May-June 1999 [Fundamental Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 6278, Los Osos, CA 93412. 805-528-5412 (voice), 805-528-4941 (fax), Ckoskela@aol.com (e-mail)] --

In a precedent-setting meeting between Pope John Paul II and Iranian president Mohammad Khatami on March 11, 1999, the two religious leaders reportedly discussed the need for a greater understanding between Christianity and Islam. The meeting between the pope and the Iranian president marked the first time an Iranian president has held a state visit with a Western nation since 1979. According to Reuters News Service, Khatami told the pope he hoped "for the victory of monotheism, of ethics, or morals together with peace and reconciliation" (Reuters, March 12, 1999). The Associated Press noted that "the emphasis was on a greater understanding between Islam and Christianity." The leaders spoke privately for 25 minutes, and the Vatican, pleased with the meeting, said the encounter was accomplished in a friendly "spirit of dialogue between Muslims and Christians." The pope called the visit "important and promising."

In the United States, both the Vatican and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S. A. (NCC) are continuing to strive for ecumenical unity with each other. The NCC Faith and Order Commission, which warmly welcomed Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Ut Unum Sint ("On Ecumenism") last fall, recently received a letter from the Vatican in which the Roman Catholic Church noted "the very positive tone in which the views of the Commissioners are stated." The letter continued, "We are, of course, well aware of the importance of Faith and Order work whether on the international or national levels … The Holy Father has given considerable support to Faith and Order, not just in the encyclical, but on various occasions, over many years. We have come to expect positive results from the multilateral dialogue of Faith and Order." It is clearly evident that the Roman Catholic Church is striving to reach out for ecumenical unity with professed Christians and non-Christians alike.