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Joining him as panelists were Rev. Michael Buckner Fanning, Ph.D., Father David H. Garcia, Dr. Rama K. Rao, Imam O. Adib Shakir and Rabbi Emeritus Samuel M. Stahl, with Ruqayya Y. Khan, Ph.D., assistant professor of Islam at Trinity University, serving as moderator.
Presentations by Rev. Bodman, Imam Shakir, Rabbi Emeritus Stahl and Dr. Rao were covered in previous editions of Today’s Catholic.
Rev. Michael Buckner Fanning, Ph.D.
Rev. Fanning, who received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies from Baylor University, is associate pastor and Bible study coordinator at the Fellowship of San Antonio, a Middle East analyst for Clear Channel Communications, and president of MBF Enterprises, Inc., a tour company specializing in organizing interfaith group tours in Israel and the Middle East. He has studied in the Holy Land and is executive director of the Makor Foundation, presenting educational programs for pastors and teachers.
Admitting that he had felt certain the topics of acceptance, compassion, tolerance and understanding would be well-covered by his fellow panelists, Rev. Fanning, as Protestant representative on the panel, began by citing examples found in the New Testament of Jesus’ tolerance. Jesus was tolerant of a variety of religious groups, he said, noting the times he refused to prohibit people from driving out demons in his name or follow his disciples’ admonitions to strike down non-believers. The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is but one of many examples of his love and respect towards all manner of outcasts.
Rev. Fanning also pointed out that the New Testament tells of the early Christians treating Jews with respect and of religious tolerance being practiced between the diverse Christian sects spoken of by Paul.
“We all know, all of us here, how to be accepting and to be compassionate and to be tolerant,” he said, observing that where the problem arises is in carrying this out. “How can we practice religious tolerance and hold on to our strong religious beliefs?” he asked. “How can I be a good Christian and faithful to the tenets that Jesus taught and yet also be very tolerant of people who are different?”
Rev. Fanning suggested two ways of solving this difficulty. First, by finding things on which all religions can agree and, secondly, by getting to know someone of a different faith tradition.
One of the things all religions agree on is alleviating poverty he noted, pointing out that there are 2,100 references in the Bible regarding caring for the poor and the plight of the poor. Likewise, he said, the Quran speaks of the righteousness of giving away one’s wealth out of love for Allah “to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars,” and in Hinduism, giving is enjoined in a “Householder Law” calling for care of the elderly and feeding the poor and homeless.
Related to Rev. Fanning’s second solution, he described how, in his visits to Israel, he meets regularly with six friends of varying ethnicities and religious backgrounds for stimulating discussion. “We don’t necessarily all agree,” he said, “but there’s not only a spirit of toleration — we’re friends.”
“I can talk about all these grand principles of toleration and compassion,” he said, “but unless I can live it out in day to day life, actually do something — whether it means working on issues on which we all agree or developing close friendships with people whom I don’t share much in common with — that’s the way I can turn this discussion of religious toleration into something where maybe I can make a small difference.”
Father David H. Garcia
Last to address the gathering was Father Garcia, rector of San Fernando Cathedral since 1995, who has previously served the Archdiocese of San Antonio as secretary to the archbishop, director of administrative services, vocation director, interim rector of Assumption Seminary and seminary formation faculty member, as well as chairing the Mass site committee for the visit of Pope John Paul II. A former Charles Merrill Fellow at Harvard Divinity School and the University of Notre Dame, he chairs the Texas Interfaith Education Board and began the annual Catholic-Jewish Hanukkah Commemoration with Jewish leaders and the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at San Fernando.
Father Garcia noted the cathedral is celebrating its 275th anniversary this year and, as the oldest cathedral sanctuary in the United States or “Mother” church, they feel “an obligation to lead by example.”
He related that at the time of San Fernando’s founding in the 1700s, Spain was not tolerant of other religions and it was not until Texas independence was achieved in 1836 that persons who did not profess to be Catholics were allowed in. It was another 20 years after that before other denominations established churches here, and during that time Protestants attended serv-ices at San Fernando and were welcomed.
“I’m very, very proud,” said Father Garcia, “that we’re able to host the Catholic-Jewish Hanukkah Commemoration, now on our fourth year. I’m very proud that Thanksgiving morning we have one of the most wonderful gatherings of the religious leadership of San Antonio to give thanks just for who we are and for the blessings of diversity and what God has given our city.” He also noted the interfaith collaboration in the blessing given each new city council.
He expressed his pride as well in the many times the various faiths have worked together on humanitarian projects, such as the SAMMinistries, initiated by First Presbyterian Church, which now has 20 to 30 area churches involved in this work of helping the homeless.
“We’ve got to work to help other people,” he said. “That’s what religion is all about. That’s what faith in God is all about. It’s taking the gifts that God has given you and sharing them with the community, because that’s the only reason you’ve got them.”
Another joint project mentioned was the Christian Assistance Ministry, composed of downtown churches working together.
“It’s in the process when you, in a sense, roll up your sleeves and work side by side and sweat with one another that you begin to understand the other person’s a human being just like you,” he said. And I think that’s what we’re all here about. We’re all here because we’re children of the same God.”
Citing these two key elements — understanding each other and working together — he concluded by saying, “Toleration is not enough. It’s collaboration that we want. And I think there’s room for all of us to work together. There’s plenty of need. I just say, ‘Let’s get it done!’” |