Hawzah News Agency- The remarks were made during a meeting in Bangkok between Bishop Peter B. Wells, the Vatican’s ambassador, and Mehdi Zare, the cultural counselor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand, where the two sides discussed ways to expand interreligious dialogue and strengthen cultural and academic cooperation.
During the meeting, the Iranian cultural counselor emphasized the shared spiritual and ethical foundations of Islam and Christianity, highlighting the revered status of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) in Islamic teachings as a messenger of peace, compassion, and moral guidance. He said such common ground provides a strong framework for deeper engagement and joint initiatives among followers of divine religions.
Zare pointed to a recent international interfaith seminar organized by Iran’s cultural office in Thailand and praised the Vatican embassy’s active participation, describing it as a sign of serious commitment to interreligious engagement. He said the involvement demonstrated that the Vatican views dialogue among religions not as a marginal issue but as a moral responsibility in today’s world.
He warned that contemporary global society is witnessing a decline in ethical and spiritual values, adding that major religions — particularly Islam and Christianity — can play a constructive role in restoring moral balance by building on their shared teachings.
The Iranian official proposed a new round of interfaith talks with a special focus on Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, noting that Thailand’s diverse religious landscape makes it a suitable venue for such engagement. He said structured dialogue among scholars and religious leaders can help correct stereotypes and reduce false perceptions.
He also underlined the importance of parallel cooperation in academic, cultural, and university sectors to ensure that the message of peace and mutual respect reaches younger generations and extends beyond elite circles into broader society.
For his part, Bishop Wells welcomed the initiatives and described the recent interfaith seminar as a positive and promising starting point. He said that at a time when the world faces conflict, extremism, and religious misinterpretation, sincere and sustained dialogue among religious leaders can help open new avenues toward peace and coexistence.
The Vatican envoy expressed support for a trilateral interfaith forum centered on Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, and said the Vatican is ready to cooperate. He added that churches, Christian universities, and Vatican-affiliated academic institutions could contribute to hosting or academically supporting future events.
Wells also described Thailand as a notable example of religious and cultural diversity, saying the country’s environment of religious freedom and active worship centers provides favorable conditions for dialogue, reducing misunderstandings, and strengthening peaceful coexistence.
The two sides concluded by discussing the role of cultural and academic institutions in reinforcing interfaith dialogue and agreed to pursue a structured, time-bound proposal for the next round of joint programs and meetings.
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