STATUTES FOR INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE COMMITTEE

DEPARTMENT OF MISSION AND DIALOGUE

CATHOLIC SECRETARIAT OF NIGERIA

STATUTES FOR INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE COMMITTEE

Preamble

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) is the administrative organ of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The CSN has four departments of Church and Society; Pastoral Agents; Pastoral Affairs; Mission and Dialogue and a directorate of Social Communications. The department of mission and dialogue coordinates and facilitates activities of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the areas of Mission, Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue. The Inter-religious Dialogue Committee (IRDC) is in touch with world bodies and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (PCID). IRDC has an Episcopal Chairman and a secretary who reports to the director of the department of Mission and Dialogue who works closely with the Secretary General of the CSN and the Episcopal Chairman of IRDC.

Article 1:        Name

1.1       The Episcopal Committee for Inter-religious dialogue (IRD) is a unit in the Department of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN).

Article 2:        Purpose

2.1  The Episcopal Committee for Inter-religious dialogue (IRD) coordinates and facilitates the activities of the CBCN with people of other religions (non Christians).  The committee animates the entire people of God about the teaching of the Church on dialogue through formation and information. This is to provide capacity  to the faithful in Nigeria to meaningfully engage in various forms of dialogue with people of other religions to promote peace, harmony and wellbeing of the country. 

2.2  The Mission Committee serves as an advisory organ to the CBCN on all matters specifically   relating to inter-religious dialogue in Nigeria and other countries. In union with the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious dialogue (PCID) and collaboration with Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA-CERAO); the committee strives to implement the Church’s teachings and directives on issues concerning IRD. The Committee of Mission work closely with the dialogue committee because of the close relationship between Dialogue and Proclamation (DP). These committees see to it that the relationship with other Churches is not neglected in Ecumenical dialogue and so are very involve in the Inter-faith directorate of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The aim is to promote Christian unity and religious peaceful co-existence which is a credible sign of Christ’s presence in the world.

2.3  The Committee of Mission liaises with all agencies within and outside the country that are specifically committed to the promotion of IRD. Consequently, dialogue is a key subject in missionary orientation programmes.

Article 3:        Authority:

3.1.The Department of Mission and Dialogue is headed by a Bishop Chairman appointed / elected by the CBCN.

3.2.The Committee for Inter-religious dialogue, which is a unit of the Department of Mission and Dialogue, is headed by a Bishop Chairman also appointed / elected by the CBCN.

3.3.The day to day running of the general affairs of the Mission and Dialogue Department within the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) is the responsibility of the Director of Mission and Dialogue.

3.4.The IRD secretary serves as the secretary for the Committee for IRD of the   Department of Mission and Dialogue of the CSN and works closely with the Episcopal Chairman in the running of the committee.

3.5.The IRD secretary represents the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and coordinates the collaboration between the Episcopal committee of IRD and other institutions charged with the responsibility of dialogue within and outside the country.

3.6.The IRD secretary prepares the report of the dialogue activities for consideration in the departmental meeting before reporting to the  administrative board and the plenary of the  CBCN for approval

Article 4:        Members

The Committee of IRD shall be comprised of the following:

4.1  The Episcopal Chairman for IRD and the Bishop Advisors.

4.2  The Director of Mission and Dialogue Dept. of the CSN

4.3  The IRD secretary of the Department of Mission and Dialogue who serves as the secretary to the Committee.

4.5.Two Experts of Inter-religious dialogue (clerics, religious or lay – preferably one on Islam and one expert of ATR).

4.6.The members of the steering committee of the Think-tank which would normally have representatives

Article 5          Collaboration

The Episcopal Committee for IRD works closely with the following:

5.1.The other units of the Department of Mission and Dialogue (Mission and Ecumenism) and other related departments of the CSN (e.g. Church and Society, Directorate of Communication and Pastoral Agents).

5.2.The Diocesan Directors of IRD all over the country.

5.3.The Institutes of Consecrated Life (Male and Female) and Lay Organizations within the Nigerian Church.

5.4.Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC)

5.5.The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious dialogue (PCID).

5.6.Culture, Inter-religious Dialogue (Islam and Traditional African Religions) and Ecumenism Commission of RECOWA-CERAO.

5.7.Other organizations and institutions that promote IRD within and outside Nigeria (e.g UFUK dialogue foundation)

Article 6:        Meetings

6.1       The Committee holds two statutory meetings annually. Other meetings may be convened by the Episcopal Chairman of dialogue if the need arises.

Article 7:        NATIONAL THINK –TANK FOR INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

7.1.      Definition:      The National Think-tank for IRD is set up by the CBCN as an advisory or operative arm of the Episcopal committee on IRD in the country. It is an action oriented Think Tank. Hence, it assists by proposing actions to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to carry out solid, well-thought out principles of interacting with other believers, to build bridges, to cooperate in the promotion of good, and to cultivate the culture of respect for other people’s religions.

Article 8:        Members of the National Think-Tank

8.1.            The Following forms the National Think-Tank on IRD:

·         The Chairman of the CBCN Committee for IRD.

·         The Director of Mission and Dialogue department of the CSN.

·         The secretary of IRD and other unit secretaries of the dept. of Mission and Dialogue.

·         Provincial coordinators of IRD.

·         Representative of NCWR

·         Representative of CAMWODIF

·         Representative of the youths

·         Representative of CMO

·         Representative of the laity council

·         Representative of NCMR

·         Experts: one on Islamic studies, one in ATR

·         Catholic members of NIREC

Article 9:        General Purpose of the National Think-tank for IRD:

The Think Tank will network with other relevant bodies and will draw on the advice and insights of Catholics who are experts in the theory and practice of Inter-religious relations particularly here in Nigeria. Through sharing their research, information and suggestions these experts will help to draw up concrete and solid action plans. These action plans will be implemented through the various bodies which are represented in the National think-tank. Consequently the purpose of the Think Thank shall be:

9.1  Dissemination of the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of IRD.

9.2  Formation of Catholics at all levels on the Church’s principles of IRD.

9.3  Monitoring and identifying potential hot spots for brewing religious intolerance and violence.

9.4  Preventing and managing Conflict.

9.5  Supporting people that are marginalized because of their religious identity through Advocacy and capacity building.

9.6  Advising and empowering for the provision of legal protection for those suffering from religiously motivated violence.

9.7  Investigating and reporting on religious tension

9.8  Working out strategies for collaboration in the support of human dignity and for the freedom of religion.

Article 10: Structure of the National think-tank on IRD

10.1     Steering Committee

The steering Committee will be having two statutory meetings annually or as the need arises. The members shall be: 

• Episcopal Chairman for IRD
• Director of Mission and Dialogue.
• Secretary for IRD in the dept. Of Mission and Dialogue and other unit secretaries.
• Representative of the Provincial coordinators of IRD.
• 2 lay persons chosen from any of the represented groups
• 2 experts on IRD.

10.2     Other committees may be put in place as the need arises.

10.3                 The National Think-tank on IRD holds three statutory meetings annually or as the need may arise. However, all the members of the think-tank must implement the decisions of the think-tank with the bodies they represent and also carry out the assignments allotted to them by the body.                                                                                                                   

   Article 11:   Provincial Think-Tank for IRD:

  Definition:    The Provincial Think-tank is a step down of the National Think-tank on IRD in the Ecclesiastical Provinces in the country. It performs the functions of the National Think-tank at the Provincial levels and reports to the Provincial Bishops Department of Mission and Dialogue and the National think-tank on IRD.

Article 13:                  Structure of the Provincial Think-tank of IRD

The structure and functions are as follows:

11.1     The Coordinator is appointed by the National think-tank of IRD and the Director of Mission and Dialogue in consultation with the Metropolitan Bishops.

11.2     The Provincial think-tank receives its mandate from the National think-tank for IRD through the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the CSN.

11.3The Provincial think-tank is responsible for coordinating IRD activities together with the Diocesan IRD Directors and other stakeholders in the province.

11.4The Provincial Coordinator convenes two statutory meetings or as may be necessary

Article 12:      Members of the Provincial Think-tank on IRD

• Provincial Coordinator of IRD appointed by the Director of Mission and Dialogue in consultation with the bishops of the Province.
• Diocesan Directors of IRD
• Representative of CWO
• Representative of CMO
• Representative of NCWR
• Representative of Male religious
• Representative of Youth
• Representative of laity Council

Article 13        General Purpose of Provincial Think-tank on IRD:

13.1  Facilitate information flow between the province, the Dept. of Mission and Dialogue and    the National think-tank on matters of IRD.

13.2  Formation of Catholics at all levels on the Church’s principles of IRD.

13.3  Monitoring and identifying potential hot spots for brewing religious intolerance and violence.

13.4  Preventing and managing Conflict.

13.5  Supporting people that are marginalized because of their religious identity through Advocacy and capacity building.

13.6  Advising and empowering for the provision of legal protection for those suffering from religiously motivated violence.

13.7  Investigating and reporting on religious tension

13.8  Working out strategies for collaboration in the support of human dignity and for the freedom of religion.

Article 14:            Diocesan Think-tank on IRD:

16.1     The Diocesan Think-tank on IRD is a step down of the Provincial Think-tank on IRD in all the ecclesiastical jurisdictions all over the country. It performs the functions of the National/Provincial think-tank at the diocesan levels and reports to the local ordinary and the National think-tank through its provincial representatives at the National think-tank. 

Article 17        Members of the Diocesan think-tank on IRD

• The Diocesan Director of IRD
• Representative of Institutes of Consecrated Life (one male and one female - appointed by their local Conferences/Superiors).
• Youth (one male and one female)
• Lay Persons (one male and one female)
• Lay Institute = 1
• I Knight of St. John and I Knight of St. Mulumba
• 2 Representatives of Catechists and School of Evangelization (if any)
• Diocesan Clergy Association = 1

Article 18        The Function of the Diocesan Think-tank on IRD:

18.1     Dissemination of the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of IRD.

18.2Formation of Catholics at all levels on the Church’s principles of IRD.

18.3Establish good relationships with the leaders/adherents of other faiths in the diocese.

18.4Monitoring and identifying potential hot spots for brewing religious intolerance and violence.

18.5Preventing and managing Conflict.

18.6Engaging other religions in the area in on-going dialogue: dialogue of life, social-engagements, theological exchange etc.

18.7Supporting people that are marginalized because of their religious identity through Advocacy and capacity building.

18.8Advising and empowering for the provision of legal protection for those suffering from religiously motivated violence.

18.9Investigating and reporting on religious tension

18.10      Working out strategies for collaboration in the support of human dignity and for the freedom of religion.

Article 19:      Diocesan Director of IRD:

19.1     The diocesan directors of IRD is appointed by the diocesan bishop to represent him in facilitating all matters relating to Inter-religious Dialogue in the diocese. The mandate of the diocesan director of IRD is determined by the local bishop, but it is advised that it should not be less than three (3) years.

19.2 Functions of the Diocesan Director of IRD

The diocesan director shall:

·         Coordinate the activities of IRD in the diocese

·         Participate actively in the Provincial Think Tank

·         Identify those who are interested in dialogue in the diocese and work with them

·         Encourage the parishes to put in place dialogue committees

·          Give quarterly reports to the department of Mission and Dialogue

·         Represent the diocesan bishops in dialogue activities of the diocese.