The Role of Inclusive Language

in an Inter-Religious Dialogue and

Communications

by; Rico C. Jacoba

and Jeramie N. Molino
THE GAP OF THE STUDY:

- “Role of Inclusive Language” in an inter-religious

communication

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To seek, to find out, and understand what

LANGUAGE is INCLUSIVE and BIAS FREE; and

2. To present the experiences of faith-based

communities (UBAS- “Ugnayang Barangay at
Simbahan”).
SOURCES OF THE STUDY:

-The HERMENEUTIC of text analysis on two

important documents of Vatican II - “Nostra Aetate”
and “Inter Mirifica”.

* The Good News has to be communicated in a

language which everyone regardless of religious belief
can understand;
* It is the language which the apostles used during the
day of Pentecost; and
* An inclusive language may be the key to lessen if not
eradicate division among people in Asia.
*Asia as a multicultural society embraces people
from all kinds of faith expressions, cultural
diversities and multi-language ethnic groups.
*There have been several works about
interreligious dialogue and social
communication in the Catholic church since the
Second Vatican Council in 1965.
“Dialogue is born from an attitude of respect for the other person, from a
conviction that the other person has something good to say. It assumes that
there is room in the heart for the person’s point of view, opinion, and
proposal. To dialogue entails a cordial reception, not a prior
condemnation. In order to dialogue, it is necessary to know how to lower
the defences, open the doors of the house, and offer human warmth.”
Pope Francis (Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, 2011)
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

“the dialogue of life,” in which believers live side by side

and come to know each other through daily interactions and
friendships with their neighbours and colleagues; The dialogue
of works or of practical cooperation, in which believers
collaborate on important projects on a local or broader level, to
meet basic human needs and help to improve the community;
The dialogue of experts, in which specialists come together to
examine important things of similarity and difference between
faiths, and to understand more deeply the meaning of their
beliefs and teachings; The dialogue of religious experience, in
which believers share with each other about their forms of
prayer, their spiritual ideals, and their sense of the transcendent.
 The Role of Inclusive Language in an Inter-
Religious Dialogue and Communications.
Communications

1) How is Interreligious Dialogue and

Communication carried out in the Catholic
Church?;

2) What is the role of Inclusive Language in an

interreligious dialogue and communications?;

3) How is Inclusive Language carried out in

Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS)?
Nostra Aetate (NA) - Interreligious dialogue

Inter Merifica (IM) - social communication

Role of Inclusive Language in Ugnayan ng

Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) - an in-depth
interview was done its members.
 LANGUAGE
- is the main form of communication and it plays a
powerful role both in contributing to and in
eliminating discrimination

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
- is an important way to reflect the diverse nature of
interreligious dialogue.
 INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
….All persons share a common humanity.
Racial divisions are often cited by one group of
people to justify enslavement, separation or
oppressive treatment of other human beings. It is
pointless to avoid references to the differences
among persons in colours of skin, eyes, or hair,
but these references should be made in the
proper context and should not carry emotional
or moral freight.
(Guidelines for Inclusive Language)
 Nostra Aetate
-is part of Vatican II’s bring up-to-date the agenda of
dialogue of the Catholic Church in the modern world.

“Interreligious dialogue is a meeting of people of differing

religions, in an atmosphere of freedom and openness, in order to
listen to the other, to try to understand that person’s religion,
and hopefully to seek possibilities of collaboration. It is hoped
that the other partner will reciprocate, because dialogue should
be marked by a two-way and not a one-way movement.”
(Cardinal Arinze)
 Nostra Aetate

-brought together Christians and non- Christians

together in a collaborative effort.

“I believe this to be a sign of maturity in our relations and a

proof that the thrust and practical recommendations of “Nostra
Aetate” really do inspire our dialogues. It is hopeful and
refreshing to see this done in an encounter commemorating the
twentieth anniversary of the Declaration.”
(Pope John Paul II)
Nostra Aetate's Inclusive Language

- developing and sharing information in ways that

everybody can understand;
- include good wishes to a person’s values (cultural,
spiritual, emotional) and beliefs;
- focus on a person’s strengths and assets and what
they can do, not their limitations or deficits or what they
can’t do.
- Christian should “recognize, preserve, and inspire the
spiritual and moral truths originated among non-
Christians, together with their societal life and ethos”
 Inter Mirifica
- a Document of Vat II stablished a ground rule in
transmitting the Good News through the use of social
media;
- underlines the right of the Church to own and use
means of communication proper to her ministry (3);
- the members of the Church and involved in media
production has a moral obligations (5) and the role of
public opinion was emphasized (8);
- all Christians and Pastors has the responsibility to
develop the proper use of this means of
communication (13-17).
Inter Mirifica's Inclusive Language

It is of great important then to ensure that a non-

discriminatory language should be used in all its
activities. Non-discriminatory language avoids false
assumptions about people and helps to promote
respectful relationships. A commitment to inclusive
language is an important attribute of a modern,
diverse and inclusive society. Inclusive language
enables everyone to feel that they are being reflected in
what is being said.
Communication
- is the strength of the Church to witness to the Good News,
encounter the Gospel and proclaim in word and deed.

*“the digital environment is not a parallel or purely virtual

world, but is part of the daily experience of many people” (Pope
Benedict XVI);

* media has to be more beneficial in faith of people as well as in

progress of nation (Pope Paul VI);

*Christians has to be “digital missionaries” which embrace the

new way of evangelization in a more responsible and practical
way of dialogue in bringing people back to the Church (Pope
John Paul II & Pope Francis)
Inclusive Language in the Bible

INCLUSIVE WORSHIP:

Including multicultural female divine images along with male

and other gender images in worship contributes to equality
and justice in human relationships and right relationship with
the earth, while expanding our experience of divinity - - - we
spread the Good News of liberation and abundant life for all.

Inclusive language also helps to heal racism and supports the sacred value
of people of color by changing the traditional symbolism of dark as evil
and white as purity. We can name Deity as “Creative Darkness” from
which the universe came, and symbolize darkness as a sacred well of
richest beauty. (Rev. Jann Aldredge-Clanton)
The Role of Inclusive Language in
Interreligious Communication
- It may “make” or “break” a harmonious relationship that has
been started or will soon be started. Hence, a simple reflection
in what we will be doing is important.

1. Have you used “man” or “men” or words containing them to

refer to people who may not be men?
2. Have you used “he,” “him,” “his,” or “himself” to refer to
people who may not be men? If you have mentioned someone’s
sex or gender, was it necessary to do so?
3. Do you use any occupational (or other) stereotypes?
4. Do you provide the same kinds of information and
descriptions when writing about people of different genders?
 UBAS
Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan
- It is a strategic partnership of barangays, the
church and other faith-based organizations, and
the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) for good governance and
for common good.
- a concrete epitome of the role of Inclusive
Language in interreligious dialogue and
communication.
 Inclusive Elements of
UBAS
- to make the Barangay the center of and for
development.
- brings us back to the values of collaborative
neighborhoods, socially responsible and engaged lay
people, and the emergence of homegrown leaders.
- sees faith as a powerful tool, a vehicle, a prized
resource for community transformation.
- faith serves as a catalyst in raising consciousness,
building relationships, and making changes amidst
differences and daunting concerns.
- calls for “love in action” manifested in concrete
participation for good governance.
 Summary & Conclusion

*Inclusive Language in interreligious dialogue

and communication is “less talk more action.”

*Nostra Aetate is an embodiment of Vatican II’s

Inclusive Language - - - reaching out to other
Non-Cristian groups is undoubtedly moving on
and still on the process of its maturation, hence,
the need for Inclusive Language is a must.
Summary & Conclusion
* In the “new wonders” of age, the church sees media
from being 'nstrumentality' to social communication of
and in human society.

* The Church is called to use media as a tool of God's

communication to humanity through Christ, the Master
and Perfect Communicator of God.

* The language of Mass media and social

communication are inseperable, partaking both in the
activity of the community / Church, and promote
inclusion.
Summary & Conclusion

* “Inclusive language” is deemed necessary in the vocabulary

of the Church’s interreligious activities.

* Catholic Church should move one step forward to the agenda

of “aggiornamento” - opening the windows and dialogue to
non-Christians.

* Dialogue and Communication requires inclusive language -

living the life of the “other” and allowing the “other” to enter
into an inclusive conversation.
 Thank You
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one--
as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us
so that the world will believe you sent me.” -John 17:21-