As the delegate for ecumenical and interfaith affairs for the Diocese of Cleveland, Father Joseph Hilinski works to overcome religious stereotypes and to build bridges among the different religious communities in the eight-county diocese.
In this role, he is assisting Bishop Nelson Perez in efforts to open a more meaningful dialogue and to improve relationships with leaders of other faiths. The faith leaders are committed to regular meetings.
Father Hilinski, who is pastor of St. Barbara Parish in Cleveland, has taught at Notre Dame and Ursuline Colleges. He also provides expertise for Catholic clergy and other Catholic pastoral ministers in dealing with ecumenical situations of worship and interfaith marriage, as well as coordinating and sponsoring colloquia, forums and programs enabling people of various Christian and religious traditions to dialogue and grow in appreciation of what they share.
He addressed the First Friday Forum of Lorain County on June 1, speaking on ?Christians, Jews, Muslims: Searching for One God.?
While there are distinct differences among Christianity, Judaism and the Muslims who follow Islam, Father Hilinski explained that there also are some common themes. The Catholic Church sees itself as Christian, ?the full exposition of Christianity,? he said, adding, ?the riddle of our human existence for us is explained in the teaching, the life and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.?
He showed a side-by-side comparison that pointed out all three faiths believe there is one God. However, the concept of God differs. Christians and Muslims also believe in Mary, the virgin birth and that she is the mother of Jesus.
?But while the Muslim community affirms the virgin birth of Jesus, a dogma we hold in Christianity, they (Muslims) do not believe in the divinity of Jesus,? Father Hilinski said. In addition, ?Muslims believe that Jesus is a prophet of God, but not divine. They believe that there is but one God and Muhammed is his prophet.?
Several other historical references from the early days of Christianity mirror Muslim beliefs, Father Hilinski added.
He also discussed the differences between Eastern and Western religions, pointing out that Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the three major Western faiths, are oriented toward history; conceive of divine power as personal; place great emphasis on time; believe the world and man are created, not eternal; tend to be exclusive; have a strong interest in clearly defined doctrine; trend toward a duality of reality and exalt individual will.
Eastern faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, are oriented toward nature; conceive of divine power as impersonal; place little emphasis on time; believe truth is not bound to particular persons; tend to be exclusive; have little interest in clearly defined doctrine and downgrade individual will.
?Those who follow Islam believe in a day of judgment, reward of God following resurrection of the dead and they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, almsgiving and fasting,? Father Hilinski said.
Catholics recite the creed at Mass, affirming that ?I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come,? Father said, which is similar to what those who follow Islam believe.
In addition, Catholics believe fasting and almsgiving are important as a remedy for sin, he added, which also is similar to what Muslims believe.
During a visit to Turkey, Father Hilinski said he spent time with some Turkish Muslims who also were concerned about the needs of people throughout the world and felt that they couldn?t turn their backs on those in the West
