Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, on the occasion of the Feast of Vesakh 2005, has sent on behalf of the Catholic Church the traditional Message of good wishes to the Buddhists of the world: “May this feast bring joy to you as individuals, as families and as communities. I am certain that in many places where Buddhists and Catholics live together they will use the moment to consolidate the good relations which already exist between them.”
This year the Catholic Church celebrates the Fortieth Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the relationship of the Church to other religions, Nostra Aetate, “Mentioning Buddhism and many other religions, it states that “the Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions” (NA 2). Accordingly, Buddhists and Catholics are able to meet together, in a spirit of openness, sincerity and mutual respect, engaging in many different forms of dialogue”.
In countries where Buddhists and Christians live and work side by side, “the resulting ‘dialogue of life’ allows them, while witnessing to their own beliefs, to deepen their understanding of one another, to foster goodwill and to promote a spirit of neighbourliness. In fact, a particular bond has developed between many Buddhist and Catholic monks and nuns. They have welcomed one another into their respective monasteries and convents joining together in silence, meditation and reflection. Some communities have been able to cooperate in the social field and, in a world marked by violence, are working together in the cause of peace” said the president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.
The Archbishop recalled that the terrible December 26 tsunami disaster “elicited an outpouring of prayers, expressions of compassion and acts of generosity on a scale the world has rarely witnessed “Buddhists and Christians have worked together hand in hand to help the victims; religious organisations have co-operated by bringing immediate relief and assessing future needs. The long-term requirements of reconstruction call, however, for a continuation of these inter-religious expressions of solidarity.” He underlined that there are “many other situations which require co-operation among people of good will” and concluded by assuring families whose dear were lost tragedy will not be forgotten “they will be remembered in our prayers”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/5/2005 - Righe 27; Parole 372)
