VATICAN - Message from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to Hindus, for the celebration of Diwali: “let us be won over by love without reserve, with the conviction that non-violence is the only way to build a global society that is more compassionate, more just and more caring.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – As in the past years, on the feast of Diwali, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has sent a message to all Hindus entitled: “ Christians and Hindus: Together in Favor of Non-violence,” signed by the President of the Pontifical Council, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, and the Secretary, Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata. The feast lasts three days and marks the beginning of a new year, reconciliation of the family-especially between brothers and sisters- and adoration of God. This year, the feast will be celebrated by many Hindus on October 28.
After recalling that “traditionally on this occasion, we share a reflection on a matter of common interest,” the Message proposes the consideration of “how we can live harmoniously in today's society, witnessing to the truth, light and hope that Diwali celebrates. While religions are often blamed for society’s ills, we know that it is rather the manipulation of religion, contrary to its fundamental beliefs, that is used to carry out so many forms of violence.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, “Jesus called on his disciples to love their enemies, to pray for those who hated them, to do good to those who wronged them,” and in the Hindu tradition as well, “non-violence is one of the more important teachings.” The Message recalls how Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Indian nation, is a “model of non-violence” that has “led by example to the point of laying down his life because of his refusal to engage in violence.”
It then explains how non-violence is encouraged by many religions and is “is central to our beliefs as the way to promote truth, light, mutual respect, freedom and harmony. As religious leaders called to uphold the truth found in our respective religions, let us help to foster non-violence among our followers and support it in their actions. Let us do all we can to promote the sacredness of human life, the good of the poor and lowly in our midst and collaborate, through dialogue, to foster the dignity of the human person regardless of race or caste, creed or class.” Lastly, there is an exhortation to Hindus and Christians, “especially in the present situation,” to let themselves be “won over by love without reserve, with the conviction that non-violence is the only way to build a global society that is more compassionate, more just and more caring.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2008)