The Muslim-Christian Dialogue Center held an event Monday to facilitate ideas and discussion surrounding environmental issues and how they pertain to religion.

The event attracted students, alumni and people associated with different environmental organizations, while hosting two speakers that discussed a document related to Christianity and a document related to Islam outlining environmental perspectives.

Dean of the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity Christopher Thompson spoke at the event.

“The care of our common home and the kinds of responsibilities and questions that it raises is something all the great religious traditions have reflected on,” Thompson said. “I have no doubt they all have a contribution to make.”

Thompson discussed an encyclical written by Pope Francis called ‘Laudato Si’ and explained how the document is a call to action to help the environment.

Philip Voerding, an active participant of the Christian Dialogue Center, discussed the ‘Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change’ and explained the relevance of the document to anyone interested in environmental issues.

“I think both of these documents are worth reading, studying and worth reflecting upon so that the ideas become part of us and part of our minds and our hearts,” he said.

After each speaker touched on the essence of the documents, participants broke into small discussion groups.

Senior Anna Marie Landis attends Muslim-Christian dialogue events often.

“I love them. I think they just really expand my idea of ecumenism and how much crossover there is between the different religions,” Landis said. “I think they really help emphasize what we share, versus what we diverge on.”

Thompson agrees this type of event can benefit students.

“In terms of preparing students for working for the common good in a public setting, it seems essential that they have some interfaith exposure,” Thompson said.

The discussion surrounding the environment and the two religions provided the St. Thomas community with resources and ideas on how to help tackle the environmental crises, according to Thompson.

The environment-focused event was co-sponsored by Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning, St. Paul Interfaith Network and Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light.

Rachel Weiss can be reached at weis3565@stthomas.edu.