Hindus and Christians together in the spirit of Assisi

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The Dicastery for Interfaith Dialogue released a message today on behalf of the Catholic Church addressed to the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which will be celebrated on 8 November

“In the face of the many challenges facing humanity today, especially those arising from wars, conflicts, and the use of religion for political ends, the commemoration of the 1986 Assisi gathering offers us the opportunity to reflect with you on how Hindus and Christians can forge pathways of peace together,” reads the message signed by the dicastery’s head, Prefect Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, and its secretary, Mgr Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage.

This year's festive wishes are inspired by the 40th anniversary of the first, historic interfaith prayer meeting for peace promoted by Pope John Paul II, held in Assisi on 27 October 1986.

A first way to give life to the paths of peace, write the prefect and the secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, is “to come together to pray with a shared spiritual commitment to peace, each according to his or her own religious tradition, while respecting that of the other. Indeed, genuine prayer overcomes differences and disarms hearts, minds and lives, transforming us into men and women of compassion and peace.”

“Another pathway is to nurture the spirit of universal fraternity exemplified by Saint Francis, who treated all as omnes fratres, ‘brothers and sisters all’. Fraternity enables us to recognize the face of God in others and to stand in solidarity with them, especially the poor and the weak. The more fraternity flourishes among us, the more peace will take root in our world.”

Interfaith dialogue therefore has “profound potential” to advance the cause of world peace, which is a “vital necessity”, write the two clergymen, quoting Benedict XVI.

“As persons grounded in our respective religions, and as people with shared values, may we, Hindus and Christians, draw renewed inspiration from the fortieth anniversary of the Assisi gathering.

“May we imbibe ever more the spirit of Assisi in our own lives by praying for peace, living the spirit of fraternity in our daily lives, and, by engaging actively in interreligious dialogue, joining hands with people of other religions and all people of goodwill in working for peace in our world.”