VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was the annual message sent by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to Hindus on the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights. This movable feast celebrates the renewal of the Hindu belief of the victory of divine power over evil in the world.
The message, entitled "Hindus and Christians: In Promotion of Human Dignity," is signed by Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, president of the dicastery.
"The occasion of the festival of Diwali provides us with ample food for thought when the Hindu tradition informs us of how light overcomes darkness, how the victory of good is achieved over evil and how hatred gives way to love through forgiveness."
"What can we, Christians and Hindus, do together to promote and protect the dignity of every human person? Does not an offense against even one person, when done in the name of religion, mean that an entire religious tradition is abused? Neither the Hindu dharma nor the Christian faith teaches hate, contempt or disrespect for others. Hatred or disrespect on the part of religious believers only brings discredit on religion and its role in society. But the more we commit ourselves to promote the dignity of every human person the more our religious traditions will become credible in the eyes of others."
After encouraging Hindus to make suggestions to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in order to carry out this challenge, promoting human dignity, the president of the dicastery concludes: "Let us come together and share our common concerns, making an effort to listen to one another attentively. Let us speak honestly, aware of our own responsibility with regard to the choices that have to be made to resolve current problems in the world today."
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