Paris, France—Dialogue & Alliance organized its monthly interfaith meeting on the theme "Reconciliation in Daily Life."
Registrations came from 12 countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Germany, Iraq, Mali, Mauritius, Republic of Congo, Switzerland, Togo, United States—as well as French Polynesia.
The moderator of the meeting on June 26, 2022, was Chantal Nga Onana, general secretary of the association FNP (Familles du Nord pour la Paix).
The first reading, from the Bhagavad Gîtâ (chapter 12, verse 12), was commented on by Yves-Henri Delzenne, a yogi and a martial arts master.
The second reading, Genesis 33:1-17, recalling the encounter between Jacob and his brother Esau, was commented on by Father Jean-Michel Tchitembo of the parish of N.-D. de Valenciennes, author of Élan œcuménique et dialogue interreligieux.
As it is sometimes necessary to ask for forgiveness to be reconciled, we had, as a short musical break, the song Pardon interpreted by the master of Ivorian reggae Alpha Blondy. Beyond his artistic career, he is very committed to the cause of reconciliation, and in 2005 he was appointed a UPF Ambassador for Peace in Côte d'Ivoire.
The third reading, taken from the Koran, Sura III, verse 35, was commented on by Imam Othmane Iquioussen of the Raismes Mosque (North), co-author of Peace Be with You, Yes Religions Are Made to Unite.
The last reading, from the New Testament, was commented on by Brice Wete-Matouba, a Kimbanguist and founder of the reflection group Les lundis de l'humain.
During the question-and-answer session we were happy to hear a testimony by Lili Ogbeide about the association Concerned People (https://concernedpeople.org/) which works for reconciliation, love and unity between our black and white brothers and sisters.
The meeting concluded with the song Céleste Jérusalem performed at the Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral in Lille, during the closing concert organized by Ecclesia Cantic.
For a recording of this program: