Catholic Religious Australia (CRA), the representative body for Leaders of more than 150 Religious Institutes across Australia, today released a resource to assist Catholics in understanding the evolving relationship between the Catholic Church and the Muslim World, responding to the call of Second Vatican Council document Nostra Aetate to “work sincerely for mutual understanding.”
Titled “Catholic-Muslim Relations: The Call of Nostra Aetate,” the resource consists of a six-page discussion in CRA’s Justice publication Just Now (Issue No.20, March 2026), which, in the 60th year of Nostra Aetate, reflects on the profound post-conciliar journey of fraternal dialogue between the Holy See and global Muslim leaders, and papal responses to Islamophobia.
“We hope this resource encourages Catholics to reflect more deeply on the relationships that have been patiently built between our two faith traditions over the past sixty years, and on the significant impact of Pope Francis’s dialogue with Islam, which has helped nurture trust, friendship and a shared commitment to peace,” said CRA Acting President, Philippa Murphy fdnsc.
“It is important to also acknowledge the role of Religious Institutes in advancing Catholic-Muslim relations, particularly St Columbans Mission Society, who have been building mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims in Australia through their Centre for Christian-Muslim relations for almost thirty years,” Philippa added.
CRA National Executive Director, Anne Walker, notes, “When Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, co-authored the 'Document on Human Fraternity' in 2019, they set a groundbreaking example, encouraging Catholics and Muslims everywhere to emulate their fraternal dialogue and mutual cooperation to address common concerns.”
“Rising Islamophobia in Australia is a grave concern. In releasing this resource in the wake of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15, it is our hope that it can assist Australian Catholics to stand up to prejudice against Muslims, with practical suggestions and resources for further learning and engagement with our Muslim brothers and sisters,” Anne concluded.
Click here to download Catholic-Muslim Relations: The Call of Nostra Aetate (Just Now Issue No. 20, March 2026).
Download the media release here.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Anne Walker | M: 0409 936 711 | E: nationalexec@catholicreligious.org.au