The Catholic Church sees Muslims as ''allies'' in its battle to defend life, moral values, peace and freedom, a top Church official told the world gathering of bishops.
''Considering the spread of secularism and liberalism they are (our) allies in the defence of human life and in affirming the social value of religion,'' Cardinal Marc Oullet told 253 church leaders gathered for the synod.
''Dialogue with them is increasingly important in the present circumstances to promote together social justice, moral values, peace and freedom for all men,'' he said.
The Canadian cardinal, who is serving as the synod's 'recording secretary', recently told the Catholic News Service that the gathering could provide ''a new start for ecumenical relations''.
As recording secretary or rapporteur, Cardinal Ouellet is tasked with preparing two reports that synthesize synod issues. Today's report officially opened works at the assembly while the other will be presented after speeches by bishops and will summarise the assembly's discussion.
Work at the October 5-26 gathering of world bishops will focus on the Bible and will include an address by Rabbi Shear-Yashuv Cohen, the first non-Christian ever to speak at a synod.
Cohen, who is co-chairman of the Israeli-Vatican dialogue commission and chief rabbi of Haifa, will lead a one-day discussion on the Jewish interpretation of the Holy Scriptures on Tuesday.
Oullet, who told bishops on Monday that dialogue with Jews was ''constructive and respectful'', also urged Catholics to work to ''make amends for past injustices committed against them by the Church''.
