All-faith meet will be an expression of Church's
approach to other religions: Archbishop
Josy Joseph in New Delhi
Despite hindrances and looming uncertainties, Church authorities have
finalised an inter-religious meeting to be addressed by Pope John Paul II
at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on November 7.
According to Church authorities, the Pope will be addressing and sitting
through an hour long inter-religious meeting which will be attended by
"representatives of all living religions of this country".
Archbishop Alan de Lastic told reporters today that "it will be a unique occasion to
affirm once again our commitment to unity of all religions. Such a satsang
will also bear testimony to peace and harmony as desired by all people of
goodwill throughout the world."
He said the Pope and the chief guest, who is yet to be finalised, will
address the meeting. According to sources, Vice President Krishna Kant
has been invited as the chief guest, but fearing political backlash he is
yet to accept the invitation.
Sources said the Vice President's office has also not yet rejected the invitation.
According to Fr Anto Poruthur, who is in charge of the inter-religious
meet, Shankaracharya Madhavanandji of the Prayaag Peeth will represent Hinduism,
while Imam of the Fatehpuri Masjid Mufti Mohammed Mukarram Ahmed will
represent Islam. Jathedar Manjit Singh will represent Sikhs, Lama
Samdhong Rimboche will represent Budhism and Acharya Mahapragya will attend the meet
representing Jainism.
Besides, Dr A K Merchant of Bahai faith and Dastoor
Cawas Bagli representing Parsis and Rabbi Issac Malekar representing Jewish
religion will also attend.
Fr Anto said besides these religious leaders "various Indian Church
Leaders, including the president of the National Council of Churches Dr Rajaratnam,
will be in attendance. He said each participant will get about two to three
minutes to speak.
"In strict sense this would not be an inter-religious dialogue because of lack of time, but it would be an expression the Church's approach towards other religions," said Archbishop
de Lastic.
He said: "Promoting harmony among religions is a subject close to the heart
of His Holiness. Hence, during the previous visit of His Holiness to India in Februray 1986, a satsang of religious leaders was organised in Chennai."
The Pope had said in that meeting that dialogue between "members of different religions
increases and deepens mutual respect and paves the pave for relationships
that are crucial in solving the problems of human suffering," the
Archbishop said.
Archbishop De Lastic also pointed out that in October, 1986 the Pope had kept
a day's fast and participated in a walk for peace at Assissi,
Italy together with leaders of world religions.
"The enigma of Indian spirituality and asceticism has held fascination for His Holiness. This
special feature of our country is acknowledged even in the recent exhortation of the faithful, which is titled as Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason)," the Archbishop said.
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