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Book launch: Dialogue of the Heart: Christian-Muslim Stories of Encounter by Fr Martin McGee


Fr Martin with Sr Lalaine at the launch

Fr Martin with Sr Lalaine at the launch

The Pauline Sisters in Kensington on Tuesday hosted the launch of Dialogue of the Heart: Christian-Muslim Stories of Encounter by Fr Martin McGee a Benedictine monk of Worth Abbey.

The book includes a touching account of the story of the Trappist monks of Tibhirine, highlighting the way this particular order has provided an inspiring example by reaching out to their Muslim fellow believers in modern-day North Africa. The monks' story - familiar to many thanks to the award - winning 2010 film Of Gods and Men - forms the backbone of this deeply affecting and thoughtful celebration of interreligious friendship.

The evening commenced with an introduction from Sr Lalaine, superior of the Pauline community. She said: "what is so deeply refreshing for us as we gather tonight is that the author of this book is that he chooses to focus on what is true, beautiful and good in the dramatic story not only of a monastery of Trappist monks but also in the dialogue between Christianity and Islam".

Fr Martin explained that his interest in dialogue and friendship between Christians and Muslims developed unexpectedly. In January 1997 he read an interview in The Tablet, with Monsignor Henri Teissier, Archbishop of Algiers. His bravery and humility, as he faced death daily during the Algerian civil war, impressed him deeply. Fr Martin wrote to him and to his surprise received a response which he described as a "wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit".

Fr Martin described the purpose of his new book as: "a book which seeks to inspire Christians and Muslims to open their hearts and minds to each other". He also said that, "we have to learn above all to get to know our Muslim neighbours, to rejoice in our common humanity, to see God's face in them. In this way we will learn to live with difference and to be enriched by it. Our surest hope for the future lies in walking together along this path of friendship".

For more information and to order Dialogue of the Heart: Christian-Muslim Stories of Encounter by Fr Martin McGee, see: www.paulineuk.org/browse/item/Dialogue-of-the-Heart-Christian-Muslim-Stories-of-Encounter/9781847305992

ICN review coming soon.

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