Felix Machado*

More than 1500 faithful of different Christian denominations gathered in common prayer. "In the name of Jesus we are called to overcome all the challenges of division". "The unity of the Christian family is the key to unity in the human family and peace in the world".

A brief reflection on the fourth year of his pontificate. A source of motivation for ministers, the Pope has brought people who had fallen away closer to the Church. We must fight indifference and poverty. Ecumenical encounter and evangelical mission in a suffering world.

Mgr Felix Machado, archbishop of Vasai, tells AsiaNews about the meeting between Brother Roger and Mother Teresa. "One spoke only English and the other only French,” but “both spoke the language of the heart.” The founder of Taizé worked at the children centre run by the Missionaries of Charity. The two saints’ faithfulness to the mission was "in their very being."

The prelate speaks about the meaning of the Easter Triduum. "The suffering that is beyond human understanding," but Christians are fortunate because Jesus "has explained and shown the meaning of redemption by his example." The right to religious freedom "is two-way: no one should be forced against their will, but no one should be stopped if they want to convert."

The bishop of Vasai made a pilgrimage in India to honour the first saint of Sri Lanka. He "personally experienced the love of God within him and took this love to the island of Sri Lanka to pass it on to others". The missionary was "a model of inter-religious peace" and dialogue.

The bishop of Vasai talks to AsiaNews about recent of 'Ghar Vapsi' (homecoming) cases orchestrated by radical Hindus to convert Christians and Muslims to Hinduism. For him, "In professing their faith, people express their deepest aspirations and develop what is their innermost self, the inner sanctuary of their being that no one can violate."

The President of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) reflects on the persecution of Iraqi Christians. ISIS is "destroying the historical and human heritage of the country" and bringing the state "towards the total destruction of its religious history."

The President of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) reflects on the value of the pope's upcoming visit. He sees it as "God's gift to the Church in Asia."