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The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a message titled ‘Christians and Hindus: Going beyond tolerance’ on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Deepawali or Diwali, the festival of lights. Based on an ancient mythology, the event symbolically represents the victory of truth over lies, light on darkness, life over death, good over evil. The actual celebration lasts three days, and marks the beginning of the New Year, family reconciliation, especially among brothers and sisters, and the worship of God. This year the festival will be start on 19 October.
The message, signed by the Council’s president, Card Jean-Louis Tauran, and secretary, Mgr Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.J., addresses the issue of intolerance, noting that seeing “pluralism and diversity as a threat to unity leads tragically to intolerance and violence.” “We can rightfully acknowledge the many wonderful things that are happening throughout the world, for which we are very grateful. At the same time, we are also mindful of the difficulties which confront our communities and which deeply concern us. The growth of intolerance, spawning violence in many parts of the world, is one such challenge we face today. On this occasion, therefore, we wish to reflect on how Christians and Hindus can together foster mutual respect among people – and go beyond tolerance, in order to usher in a more peaceful and harmonious era for every society.
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