Mumbai (AsiaNews) - An interfaith gathering of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Jains spiritual leaders, organized to "celebrate religious diversity to promote a world of peace and love" concluded today in Varanasi. During the meeting (14-16 February) the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the conciliar declaration Nostra Aetate (28 October 1965) was marked.
The President of the Office for interreligious dialogue for the Catholic Bishops 'Conference of India (CBCI) and the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), Msgr. Felix Machado told AsiaNews: "The purpose and goal of our dialogue in Varanasi is to spread a message of peace, which is the 'primary good of mankind'."
A Vatican delegation composed of three members of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, including Msgr. Thomas Dabre, bishop of Pune (Maharashtra) also attended. Msgr. Machado was also joined by Msgr. Albert D'Souza, Archbishop of Agra and Secretary General of CBCI and Msgr. Peter Parapallil, bishop of Jhansi and chairman of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue of the regional council of the bishops of Agra (Arbc). Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio in India, also participated in the rally.
The decision to meet in Varanasi has a precise meaning. Msgr. Machado, who is bishop of Vasai, points out - Varanasi is a Holy city where people of all faiths live in harmony. Believers of Hindusim and Buddhism, our Muslim brethren and also a sizable Jain community- all coexist mutual tolerance and peaceful harmony in society for generations. "
"Asia - says the prelate - Asia continues to reflect the religious diversity of the planet. Inter-religious dialogue is not something new that the church has undertaken but it is a part of the Christian faith. We are commemorating the Golden Jubilee of "Nostra Aetate," , which declared that the "spiritual, moral, and socio-cultural values (of non-Christian religions) were to be respected, protected and encouraged".
"The shared experience of humanity and the communion of humanity - he continues - constitute the basic theological foundation of inter religious dialogue. It is necessary and possible to enter into dialogue, respecting differences, in diversity, in faith, and thus to become open to one another".
Speaking to AsiaNews, Msgr. Dabre declares: "Differences can lead to beautiful experiences. However, even if we celebrate diversity, we must guard against those who say that relativism is, in turn, eclecticism and syncretism. On the contrary, we must recognize our differences and learn to live with them".
