Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - On the occasion of the annual Hindu feast Diwali 2005, which celebrates light, goodness, reconciliation, peace, harmony and happiness, and which many Hindus will start on 1 November, the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue addressed a message of good wishes to the Hindus of the world in English, French and Italian. The message signed by the president of the Council, Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, is entitled "Indus and Christians in Solidarity". Symbolically founded on ancient mythology the feast represents the victory of truth over falsity, life over death, good over evil. Celebrations of two or three days mark the start of a new year, foster family reconciliation, among brothers and sisters in particular and adoration of God.
“May this holiday season bring you refreshment in mind and body and renew you in spirit to continue meeting the difficulties of daily life with courage and hope” writes the Archbishop adding that the joy of religious celebrations cannot be extended, as it might be wished, to the whole of life: “Religious feasts, recalling to us the spiritual dimension of life and the search for true meaning, provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the significance of tragic events in our own lives or in those of people around us”. The Archbishop recalls the tragic "tsunami" last year which affected many Indian Ocean countries causing enormous devastation, grief and suffering and he said: “In places affected by the "tsunami", solidarity across religious boundaries has helped to bring hope to many of the victims. Teams of relief workers belonging to different religious traditions have been tireless in working to alleviate immediate suffering and to initiate reconstruction. At a time when aggressive secularism would seem to be on the increase and respect for basic human values often appears to be on the decline, such cooperation among people of different religions can bring about a new respect for religion in today's world..”
The message also recalls the 40th anniversary of Vatican II’s Nostra Aetate declaration on relations with non Christian religions, and it concludes with a call for united efforts to solve problems of today, “whether they be small or great, whether local or international”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/10/2005 - Righe 27; Parole 382)
