The Hindu festival of lights and the 60th anniversary of ‘Nostra Aetate’

In its message on the occasion of Deepavali - which is being celebrated at this time - the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue recalls the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council document that encouraged Catholics to engage in dialogue, recognising the values that every religious tradition brings with it. ‘Hindus and Christians together nurture peace in our homes, communities and societies.’

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - ‘During this festive season, we invite you to join us in reflecting on how Christians and Hindus, together with people of all faiths and goodwill, can strengthen our common efforts for peace through dialogue and collaboration.’

The 60th anniversary of the promulgation of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council document on dialogue between Catholics and other religions, is now imminent. the theme of the message that the Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, George Jacob Koovakad, and the Secretary of this body, Monsignor Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, have addressed to the world in recent days on the occasion of the Deepavali festival, which is celebrated this year on 20 October.

The 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate will be celebrated on 28 October with a major interreligious meeting in the Vatican. ‘This historic initiative of interreligious dialogue,’ recall Cardinal Koovakad and Monsignor Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, ‘has evolved into a global project, generously supported and promoted by people of different religious beliefs and even by non-believers, contributing significantly to world peace. This very message is a fruit of that noble vision.’

The wish for Hindus is that ‘this festival of lights may illuminate your lives and bring happiness, unity and peace to your families and communities.’ But it is precisely the memory of the document that in 1965 encouraged Catholics around the world to engage in dialogue and collaboration with people of other religious traditions, urging everyone to ‘recognise, preserve and advance the spiritual, moral and socio-cultural values found in them,’ that provides the context for a broader reflection.

‘In today's world, where mistrust, polarisation, tensions and divisions are on the rise,’ the message continues, ‘interreligious dialogue is more necessary than ever. It must continue to sow the seeds of unity and harmony, becoming a beacon of hope for all. Interreligious understanding and collaboration must find a place in our daily lives and become a natural way of living together.’

‘The family, as the primary place of education in life and faith,’ recall those responsible for the Vatican department for Interreligious Dialogue, "has a prominent role in nurturing these values. Religious traditions also have a crucial responsibility in promoting peace, with religious leaders having a moral duty to set an example, encouraging their followers to respect diversity and build bridges of friendship and fraternity. Educational institutions and the media also play an essential role in shaping hearts and minds towards peaceful coexistence. In this way, interreligious dialogue and collaboration can and must be welcomed as indispensable tools for cultivating a culture of peace; they should grow into a powerful and dynamic movement dedicated to building and defending peace at all times.

‘As believers rooted in our respective religious traditions and as people united by shared values and a common concern for peace, can we – Hindus and Christians, together with those who profess other religions and all people of good will – unite in small and large ways to nurture peace in our homes, communities and societies,’ is the hope expressed on the occasion of this Deepavali.