Interreligious dialogue

Some 150 delegates from Asian countries and around the world met in Cambodia’s capital for the Eighth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium organised by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Maha Ghosananda, a venerable Theravada master close to the victims of the Cambodian genocide, was remembered. Through the “active presence of love, justice, and enduring human solidarity”, a world can be built “where peace is more than the absence of conflict.”

Leo XIV met in audience with ecumenical delegations and representatives of other faiths who had come to Rome for the beginning of his ministry. Before the meeting, he held a private audience with the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew. In his address, he noted that his election falls on the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. For Christians, “unity can only be unity in faith,” he said. Turning to Jews, he noted that “in these difficult times, marked by conflicts and misunderstandings, it is necessary to continue the momentum of this precious dialogue of ours.”

The Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has issued a message of goodwill to Buddhist faithful around the world on the occasion of Vesak, the celebration that commemorates key events in the life of the Buddha. “In our time, marked by division, conflict and suffering, we recognise the urgent need not to remain with words alone, but to translate them into concrete actions for peace, justice, and the dignity of all.”

The Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Gulf country, which is part of the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia. Accompanied by Bishop Berardi, the cardinal met with local communities and leading figures of the kingdom. The cardinal led the Mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia and took part in a conference at the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence.

The Holy See Press Office released the message of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue to Islamic communities for the Islamic holy month and the feast of Eid al-Fitr. It reads, “in a world in search of hope [. . .] Do we want to be simple co-workers for a better world, or genuine brothers and sisters, bearing common witness to God’s friendship with all humanity?”

While the pontiff remains in serious condition at the Gemelli Hospital, people of other religions are joining Christians to pray for him. “May the divine mercies surround Pope Francis for his speedy recovery,” reads a prayer by the secretary general of the Lotus Bahá'í Temple. Imam Yahya Pallavicini sends his best wishes from Islam’s holiest place.

The prestigious award, considered the ‘Nobel of religions’, was awarded this year to an international NGO founded in 2009 and active in dozens of Muslim-majority countries for the promotion of women's rights. ‘It strengthens peaceful coexistence by creating a basis for interfaith dialogue’. The award will be presented in Tokyo on 14 May.

Best known for kung fu, the monks are the custodians of Zen Buddhism in China. The meeting with the pontiff comes a few days after their temple in Henan held a world conference on meditation and its contribution to peace and the development of relations between peoples.

Francis picked the 51-year-old cardinal from Kerala, coordinator of apostolic journeys, to succeed Card Ayuso Guixot who passed away last November. This makes him the first Asian at the helm of the Vatican body. In his first statements, he focuses on the path of fraternity and the form of inculturation developed by Fr Roberto De Nobili in India starting in 1500. The Syro-Malabar Church shared with AsiaNews her joy of a fellow member given this task.

In Kahna Nau, a suburb of Lahore, the joint intervention of the Franciscans, the imam and the police prevented the act of a deranged man who burned pages of the Koran and the Bible from causing new riots. Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, a Sufi group organised a Christmas ceremony again this year. Bishop Rehamt: ‘Let us join hands to show the world that we are a peaceful nation’.

Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad inaugurated the village and Christmas tree at La Salle High School and College. Waiting for Christmas is a time to commit to peace. For the prelate, “we need the Messiah again in our lives.” In Lahore, the Saddar Jhalar Church hosted an interfaith singing event last Sunday, with distinguished civic and religious guests.

Yesterday the Pontiff accepted the prelate's request for resignation, appointing auxiliary Msgr Ilgit as apostolic administrator. Satisfaction for the growth of a reality ‘of Turkish language and culture’. The earthquake of February 2023 still an open wound, need to rebuild from ‘living stones’. The testimony of refugees and displaced persons who broaden horizons on a ‘cultural, spiritual’ level.