Scope and Purpose
The Camaldolese Institute for East-West Dialogue seeks to promote deeper understanding between the contemplative traditions of East and West, through:
- conferences and workshops
- research and publications
- exchange visits
- teaching programs
“In our times, when every day we are being drawn closer together and the ties between various peoples are being multiplied, the Church is giving deeper study to her relationship with non-Christian religions. In her task of fostering unity and love among all persons, and even among nations, she gives primary consideration . . . to what human beings have in common and to what promotes fellowship among them” (Vatican Council II: Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions).
“Dialogue means not only discussion, but also includes all positive and constructive relations with individuals and communities of other faith which are directed at mutual understanding and enrichment” (Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue).
“To choose God means also “humbly and patiently according to God’ s timing, ecumenical dialogue and interreligious dialogue. The communities of your order, especially those which have arisen in California and in India, have been engaged for years now in this spiritual quest, woven of prayer and respectful dialogue with Buddhist and Hindu monastics” (Pope John Paul II: At the Holy Hermitage of Camaldoli, Italy, September 13, 1993).
2006 Conference
The Camaldolese Institute for East-West Dialogue offered two conferences in celebration of the centenary of Fr. Bede’s birth.
The first was held June 25th – June 28th at New Camaldoli Hermitage and featured a gathering of international scholars offering papers and participating in a round table discussion.
The second event was held June 30 – July 2. This conference was a round table discussion and liturgy service coordinated by Fr. Cyprian Consiglio and Fr. Thomas Matus. It was held at Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA.
Scholars who presented papers included:
Michael von Brück: “From Inclusivism to Pluralism: A Spiritual and Theological Journey in the Footsteps of Bede Griffiths”
Beatrice Bruteau: “Circumambulating Arunachala: Transcendent Ground and Wonderful World”
Francis Clooney: “Bede Griffiths on the Vedanta: Insights, Intuitions, Questions”
Bradley Malkovsky: “Examining Father Bede’s Distinction Between Cosmic and Historical Revelation”
Joseph Prabhu: “Trinity: Unity and Pluralism in the Thought of Griffiths and Panikkar”
Bruno Barnhart: “Hidden Noonday: Science, Mysticism and Christ in Bede Griffiths’ ‘New Vision of Reality’”
Sr. Donald Corcoran: “India, Inwardness, and a Renewed Theology of the Holy Spirit”
Robert Hale: “The Prophetic Dimension of Fr. Bede’s Teaching and Life”
John Martin: “Bede Griffiths: A Marriage of Wisdom and Prophetic Traditions”
Thomas Matus: “Bede Griffiths and Thomas Aquinas”
Joseph Wong: “Christ as Model of Christian Advaita in Bede Griffiths and Abhishiktananda”
Monastics participating included:
Fr. Bernardino Cozzarini, OSB OCam, Superior General from Italy, Fr. Bruno Barnhart, OSB OCam, Fr. Cyprian Consiglio, OSB OCam, Sr. Donald Corcoran, OSB OCam, Fr.George Nelliyanil, OSB OCam (India), Fr. Joseph Wong, OSB OCam, Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB (England), Bro. K. John Martin, OSB OCam (India), Sr. Pascaline Coff, OSB, Fr. Robert Hale, OSB OCam, and Thomas Matus, OSB OCam.