VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was the annual message of Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, to Hindus on the festival of Diwali which represents the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil.
The theme of the message, published in English, French, and Italian, is: "Collaboration between Hindus and Christians with Special Reference to Children." Archbishop Fitzgerald writes that children participate in the festival with great enthusiasm and he recalls that Jesus expressed a special love for them, especially for their "simplicity, their joy of life, their spontaneity, and their faith filled with wonder," as the Holy Father reminds us.
After discussing the evils that afflict children, such as forced labor, forced conscription, breakdown of the family, trafficking in organs and persons, sexual abuse, forced prostitution, AIDS, the sale and use of drugs, Archbishop Fitzgerald posed the question: "What have children done to merit such suffering?"
The president of the council urges Hindus and Christians in India to work together "in support of underprivileged children, who are often the innocent victims of war and violence, inadequate food and water, forced immigration and the many forms of injustice present in today's world."
"I am fully aware that such cooperation between the followers of our two religious traditions already exists, but we could and should do more, as the problem is serious, indeed it is tragic. Your suggestions as to what could be done to give children their rightful place in society would be most welcome. Our children are our future; they are the future of humanity."
CON-DIR/DIWALI:HINDUS/FITZGERALD VIS 20041108 (280)
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