Catholics dialogue with Jewish and Methodist neighbors

Published: October 31, 2009

By ARMANDO RIOS
Associate Editor

Armando Rios

The Rev. James Haustein (from left), Rabbi Eugene Levy and Msgr. Francis Malone discuss where the three faiths agree on community involvement and politics Sunday, Oct. 25.

Armando Rios

The Rev. James Haustein (from left), Rabbi Eugene Levy and Msgr. Francis Malone discuss where the three faiths agree on community involvement and politics Sunday, Oct. 25.

Members of Jewish, Methodist and Catholic congregations have been gathering on Sunday afternoons to learn about subjects where their faith communities agree.

The interfaith dialogues are sponsored by St. James United Methodist Church, Temple B'nai Israel and Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

The Rev. James Haustein, Rabbi Eugene Levy and Msgr. Francis Malone explain the position of their faith community on the topic followed by a question and answer period.

The third and final "Where we agree" discussion is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Christ the King Church. The theme is "Where we agree on matters of faith and theology" with Rev. Haustein as moderator.

Rabbi Eugene Levy moderated the discussion on "Where we agree on community involvement" Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Methodist church. About 100 people from the three churches were in attendance.

All three said their faith communities assist those in need, including supporting organizations that are better suited in assisting those in need.

Msgr. Malone gave an example of the Catholic parish supporting Sharefest.

The parish sets aside 10 percent of its income and distributes it to agencies such as St. Francis House and Arkansas Rice Depot, he said. Most of the agencies have no connection to the Catholic Church.

"We believe in the Catholic Church that we don't surrender our citizenship at the doors of the Church when we enter," Msgr. Malone said. "We believe that as a Catholic community united with all the other Catholic churches in the area are very much a part of the local community."

The three also discussed how the faith group relates to the local community in terms of politics.

"It is a longstanding practice, in fact it is a policy for us that while we address political issues and legislation, we lobby, in fact, for particular issues or against issues, we are not permitted nor allowed in any way to endorse a political party or an individual for office," Msgr. Malone said.

All agree in the area of commitment to the community, Rev. Haustein said.

"Certainly, our faith communities all value people and value our involvement with them in order to better their lives," he added. "We believe we are all to care for one another and to do that in terms of giving of our funds and ourselves."

Methodist churches have volunteers who respond to tornadoes and other disasters in this country and around the world.

On the topic of politics, Rev. Haustein said the Methodist church supports policies and programs it believes to be just and opposes those it believes are unjust.

Rabbi Levy said the temple also assists those in need.

The Talmud, a collection of Jewish writings, has one major statement: "Do not separate yourself from the community," Rabbi Levy said.

Whenever there is something interfaith, something in the nature of community-wide help, the temple is usually involved, he said. Jewish congregations also volunteer in disasters.

On the issue of politics, Rabbi Levy said he cannot advocate for specific candidates but can advocate for policies.

The first discussion was held Oct. 18 at the temple, moderated by Msgr. Malone. The topic was "Where we agree on vital issues facing our world."