He explained the current religious situation in France considering the last atrocities involving islamic fundamentalism. He said that in his diocese in Marseille, 25% of the population are Muslims and 9% Jewish. According to him, it’s an appropriate field to discuss the role of the religion and consequently, the role of the interfaith dialogue.

The bishop said that it’s necessary to discuss the limits of freedom of speech, but there is also an initiative from the Islam in France to reflect about an “aggiornamento” which concerns a theological update of the Islamic doctrine safeguarding the essential elements of faith, as depicted in II Vatican Council document Nostra Aetate.

“During a long time, catholic theology was concerned about whether the salvation reaches or not the people who don’t believe in Christ. Ratzinger already said in his conference in Ratisbonne (2006), that neither me or you can say to God who is able to be saved or not”, says Bishop Aveline. “It’s necessary to discuss the absoluteness of the religion, the universality of the Christian faith concerns not about the institution, but the universality of the events of the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.”