ASIA/INDIA -Catholic Bishop invited to address Hindu leaders: “We must all reaffirm that religion and violence are totally incompatible”

Monday, 5 February 2007

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - It is not every day that a Catholic Bishop in India is invited to address a meeting of Hindu religious leaders and intellectuals. It happened recently to Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai who was asked to speak at a cycle of conferences organised by the Civic Library in Belgaum, in the south western Indian state of Karnataka. The Bishop spoke to an audience of scholars, intellectuals, academics and religious and civil Hindu leaders and his speech met with appreciation and consensus.
Called to intervene to give the Christian point of view with regard to the experience of 17th century Hindu poet and mystic Tukaram the Bishop said: “I am a fervent follower of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church appreciates mystics of all the different religions and traditions, because their experience helps people enter into contact with the transcendent”, underlining the need to promote dialogue and harmony among believers of different faiths.
“Every human person should step forward to help those in difficulty because God is present in every person”, he added criticising materialism and episodes of inter-community violence reported in various parts of India. “Religious leaders have the responsibility - the Bishop said - to explain to their people the meaning of authentic religion, according to the values of peace and harmony. Unfortunately we see spreading violence and terrorism, and in the name of religion”.
The Bishop asked his audience: “Why must there be police protection around places of worship? We must say with conviction that religion and violence are totally incompatible”, he concluded offering examples of mysticism in Christianity and other traditions similar to the mentioned experience of Tukaram. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/2/2007 righe 27 parole 272)


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