Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-187) and index.

The conversation begins -- The historical roots of interreligious dialogue in the church -- The nature, types, and fruits of dialogue -- The presence and example of Pope John Paul II -- The official magisterial teaching of the church on interreligious encounter and dialogue -- The three basic positions on the other religious traditions -- Tensions between mission and dialogue -- Interreligious encounter and dialogue : the existential dialogue -- Reading the signs of the times : a possible new course for the church -- The church and the crisis of the world.