On September 12, 2016 Georgetown University’s Prince Alaweed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding released a report which frankly details both the positive and negative attitudes which Catholics have towards Islam and Muslims. It offers the pastors of the Church and those working in interreligious dialogue a clearer picture of the current state of understanding in the Catholic community on such important issues as Islamophobia. While the report tells us that there are misunderstandings and problems in our community around our members’ understanding of Islam and Muslims, there are also positive findings. “I view the publication as an act of transparency on the part of Catholic researchers” Father Baima told the Catholic-Muslim dialogue in Chicago after the release of the report. “The report can be a help to those of us committed to fostering harmony and understanding between our two faiths by helping us to know, with some precision, where we need to focus our educational efforts.” Interreligious dialogue is one of the main areas which Pope Francis has promoted during his papacy. The report was able to demonstrate a positive effect – the Francis effect – on intergroup understanding.
