Vatican Greets Hindus Ahead of Deepavali, Urging Pathways of Peace in the 'Spirit of Assisi'
Ahead of the Hindu feast of Deepavali on November 8, the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has sent a message to Hindus entitled “Hindus and Christians: forging pathways of peace together in 'the spirit of Assisi'.” Signed by the Dicastery's Prefect, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, and its Secretary, Msgr Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, the message was published in full by L'Osservatore Romano on November 6.
The Dicastery extends its “warmest prayerful and festive wishes” to those celebrating Deepavali, praying that God bless them, their families, loved ones and communities “with abundant joy, peace and prosperity.”
This year marks forty years since representatives of the world's religions gathered in Assisi on October 27, 1986, at the invitation of Saint John Paul II, to pray for peace. The message says the “spirit of Assisi” has since inspired countless initiatives for peace, and that the anniversary invites Hindus and Christians to reflect on how they can forge pathways of peace together amid wars, conflicts and the use of religion for political ends.
It proposes three pathways: praying together for peace, each in their own tradition and respecting the other's, since genuine prayer “overcomes differences and disarms hearts, minds and lives”; nurturing the universal fraternity exemplified by Saint Francis, who treated all as brothers and sisters, especially the poor and the weak; and keeping interreligious dialogue at the heart of the spirit of Assisi — quoting Pope Leo XIV that dialogue plays “a decisive role, because at the heart of the great spiritual paths lies a message of peace.”
Authentic religions by their nature promote peace and reject every form of violence, the message concludes, wishing all a happy Deepavali. (Source: Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue)
Source: Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：意大利 Assisi 的圣方济各大教堂。照片：Gunnar Bach Pedersen 摄，公共领域，经维基共享资源。 / Photo: The Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy. Photo by Gunnar Bach Pedersen, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
