The ecumenical initiatives of Sant 'Egidio, the Christian group in Rome that invited Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to their annual gathering last week to discuss Christian-Muslim cooperation in search of peace, came in for praise by Catholic bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing.

"The Community of Sant 'Egidio has been forging dialogue between Christians and Muslims for the past several years and this year they have hit a high note in getting Pope Francis to grace the final session of their annual conference," explained the head of the Catholic Church in the Melaka-Johor diocese.

Bishop Tan said the Pope's presence signified the importance he placed on dialogue between leaders of the two religions, with emphasis on the human dignity and justice that all human beings hunger after.

"It's good that a Malaysian leader was invited to be a contributor at the conference because the Community of Sant 'Egidio has distinguished itself in recent years by bringing combatants in strife-torn parts of Africa to the negotiating table," said the Jesuit-trained prelate.

NONE Anwar ( left ) issued a brief press statement yesterday citing the importance of knowledge and understanding as pre-conditions for dialogue between Muslims and Christians.

"I agree that the more we learn about each other the more we will fall back on the eternal verities which can be summed up as the desire of humans for truth, justice and peace," said Bishop Paul Tan.

He said it was providential that the Pope took the name of St Francis of Assisi whose name is associated with what was the first attempt, in the 13th century, at dialogue and conflict-resolution between Christians and Muslims.

In 1219, at the height of the Crusades, Francis led a mission to make peace between the Christian and Muslim armies led by Sultan Malik al-Kamil.

"It was an extraordinary mission and though not successful, it has resonance for our times," opined the bishop.