The message of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue to Hindus on the feast of Deepavali 2024
Priests processing to the Altar - Photo: Pescila Magdalin
Hindus celebrate the Diwali feast, also known as Deepavali, or “row of oil lamps.” Symbolically based on ancient mythology, it represents the victory of truth over falsehood, of light over darkness, of life over death, of good over evil. The actual celebration lasts three days, marking the beginning of a new year, family reconciliation, especially between brothers and sisters, and worship of God. This year, the festival was celebrated by many Hindus on 1 November. On this occasion, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has sent them a message: “Hindus and Christians: Promoting harmony amidst diversity and despite differences.”
Dear Friends,
May God, the source of light, fill your minds and hearts with peace and joy, and may your families and communities be filled with grace and happiness! More than ever, our cities and countries are becoming increasingly diverse. People of different cultures, religions, ethnicities, languages, and ideologies live side by side, either by choice or chance, in almost every part of the globe. This diversity is viewed by most as a great source of mutual growth, learning, and enrichment.
As believers grounded in our respective religious traditions and as persons with a shared commitment to strengthening harmonious coexistence in society, may we, Christians and Hindus, join hands with the people of other religious traditions and with people of goodwill and do all that we can to promote harmony amidst diversity and despite differences “with a sense of responsibility and in a spirit of fraternity and inclusiveness” (Pope Francis, Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society, and the Diplomatic Corps, Singapore, 12 September 2024).
Pescila Magdalin
Colombian Interreligious Dialogue Coordinator, Fiji, Region of Oceania
Related links
- Read more from the current e-Kaulotu, November 2024
Comments (0)