Trust and mutual respect are key in
interfaith dialogue between Catholics and Hindus, to strengthen
friendship and cooperation.
It 's a reflection on this principle the
message that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has sent
this year by Hindus on the occasion of Diwali, the "Festival of
Lights."
"Respect - reads the document signed by President, Card. Jean-Louis
Tauran and the secretary of the pontifical council, Mgr. Pier Luigi
Celata - is the proper regard for the dignity which naturally pertains
to every person irrespective of any external recognition. Dignity
implies the inalienable right of every individual to be protected from
any kind of violence, neglect or indifference. Mutual respect,
therefore, becomes one of the fundamentals for peaceful and harmonious
co-existence as well as progress in society. Trust, on the other hand,
nourishes every genuinely human relationship, both personal and
communitarian. Mutual trust, besides creating an environment conducive
to growth and the common good, shapes a shared conviction that we can
depend on each other to achieve a common purpose".
"This shared conviction - the message goes on, without directly
referring to episodes of tension and violence that affects Christians in
India - creates in individuals and communities a readiness and
willingness to enter into productive cooperation not only in the area of
doing good in general, but also, addressing the grave and unresolved
challenges of our times. Applying the above to our engagement in
appreciating and promoting interreligious dialogue and relations, we
well know that respect and trust are not optional extras but the very
pillars on which the edifice of our engagement itself stands".
"This engagement involving all of us, believers and people who seek
the Truth with a sincere heart, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, is
“…together to become artisans of peace, in a reciprocal commitment to
understanding, respect and love.” (Address to the delegates of other
Churches and Ecclesial communities and of other Religious traditions, 25
April 2005).
Thus, the greater our engagement in interreligious
dialogue, the fuller our respect and trust become, leading us to an
increase in cooperation and common action.
Pope John Paul II, of happy
memory, on his first visit to India, said: “Dialogue between members of
different religions increases and deepens mutual respect and paves the
way for relationships that are crucial in solving the problems of human
suffering” (Address to non-Christian leaders, Madras – Chennai, 5
February 1986).
"As people who hold in common the well-being of individuals and
communities, may we give greater visibility with every means in our
power to a culture that promotes respect, trust and cooperation."
SIC: AN/INT'L