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Dec. 8 marks the opening of the Jubilee of Mercy, a yearlong celebration of God's compassion. Pope Francis, who has made mercy the motto of his papacy, hopes that this year will be "a true moment of encounter with the mercy of God." One way Catholics can become better acquainted with this divine mercy is by more deliberately encountering another religion that takes God's mercy as its central focus: Islam.
In his papal bull announcing the jubilee, Francis referenced both Islam's and Judaism's emphases on God's mercy, writing, "There is an aspect of mercy that goes beyond the confines of the Church." He urged Catholics to use the Year of Mercy as an opportunity to learn about Islam and other religions to "eliminate every form of close-mindedness and disrespect ... violence and discrimination." Muslims also believe God's mercy was expressed through messengers who conveyed his revelation to humanity. These messengers include many figures that are familiar to Christians, such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, of whom God says in the Quran, "We have not sent you [Muhammad] but as a mercy for the universe" (Quran 21:107).
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Article: Ecumenical Movement - Other Religions Uniting With Roman Catholics
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