Mgr Machado: Pope Francis' visit to Korea will provide missionary impulse to interreligious dialogue
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis' visit to South Korea (13-18 August) will give "a great missionary impetus to dialogue", mainly because "Asia's reality is multi-cultural," said Mgr Felix Machado, president of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Bishops 'Conferences (FABC) and president of the Office for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).
In his thoughts to AsiaNews, he notes that Asian bishops have Nostra Aetate at heart. The document issued during the Second Vatican Council deals with the relations between the Church and other religions, and will celebrate its golden jubilee next year.
The Pope's visit to Asia could been a prophetic opening of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Nostra Aetate. Interreligious dialogue for the FABC is both a theological and pastoral imperative.
It is significant theologically since it is a continuation of God's dialogue with humanity and an ongoing discernment of the Spirit's presence in other religious traditions. The pope as the universal pastors is God's gift to the Church in Asia for initiating this trip.
Asian bishops took Nostra Aetate deeply to heart due to the necessity of dialogue with other religions. I am delighted for it because the nature of Asia's reality is multi-cultural; hence, the importance of the pope's visit and my presence there as the president of the Office for Dialogue and Ecumenism is very important.
Asia is a continent rich in non-Christian cultures. It is the homeland of three eminent world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam; and today, Asia continues to reflect the religious diversity of the planet.
We live in the midst of millions of people belonging to the great religious traditions.... In this context, interreligious dialogue is our key dimension. However, dialogue does not call for giving up one's commitment, bracketing it or entering into easy compromise.
On the contrary, for a deeper and more fruitful dialogue, it is even necessary that each partner be firmly committed to his or her faith. Hence, the visit of the Holy Father will keep the tradition of meeting people from other faiths too.
In Korea, Buddhism came from India through China and from Korea to Japan. Won Buddhism exists in Korea; Confucianism is a prominent religion in Korea. Even though Christian numbers are rising, the Church must be in dialogue with other religions. Thus, the pope will also respect the importance of other religions.
Asia is highly sensitive to the Pope. During my appointments at the Vatican's Council for Interreligious Dialogue in charge of the Asia desk, I made many trips to Asian countries and seen the love of the people from these countries, even non-Christians, towards the pope. Pope Francis is already loved by all people, and I am positive that Pope Francis will win the hearts of the people of all religions.
The ethos and characteristics of Asian religions include dialogue, which is a big part of the Catholic Church today. The Catholic Church in Asia continues to engage in dialogue with the peoples (especially the poor), the cultures, and the religions of Asia and the visit of Pope Francis gives a great missionary impetus to dialogue.
When the Church takes the leadership in dialogue, people from other faiths are very grateful to the Church.
Religions have an indispensable role in the promotion of peace and development, and the visit of our Holy Father could play a significant and defining role for leaders of religious faiths endeavouring to promote the human rights of all people in building a more peaceful and just world.
(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)
*President, Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference and president of the Office for Dialogue and Ecumenism of the CBCI.
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