ASIA - Bishop Wickramasinghe: major effort for inter-religious harmony is needed in Asia

Galle (Agenzia Fides) - "We call on all people of good will to promote dialogue among believers of all religions in Asia: it is urgent to promote mutual respect, understanding, harmony, love and peace in the hearts and minds of all believers, which are the values and supreme truth of all religions": This is what His Exc. Mgr. Raymond Wickramasinghe, Bishop of Galle, Sri Lanka says to Fides Agency, in the aftermath of the attack which in Bihar (India) hit the Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, the most important Buddhist shrine in the world (see Fides 8/7/2013). The Bishop expresses the closeness of Christians to all the faithful Buddhists, that make up the majority of the people of Sri Lanka, and that are present in India and throughout the world.
"it is important now to relaunch an effort for dialogue and inter-religious harmony in Asia", notes to Fides Fr. Camille Piche, Director of the International Office "Justice and Peace" of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, recalling that in the context of South Asia and Southeast Asia it is important to protect "the rights of minorities, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus." In situations of violence or conflict, "the prophetic position strengthens of those, in the various churches, working for justice and peace, fostering mutual respect and harmony among religions," he concludes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/09/2013)