CBCI holds Inter–Faith meeting in Jharkhand, urges harmony and cooperation

New Delhi – Expressing concern over the growing religious intolerance and communal violence within the state of Jharkhand and elsewhere, an Inter–Faith meeting was jointly conducted by the CBCI Dialogue Commission, Bihar–Jharkhand Commission for Dialogue, Sarva Dharma Milan Parishad and Citizens Cause, Ranchi.

The one–day inter–religious meet for building a harmonious society took place at Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi, on August 28.

Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi and CBCI President, in his inaugural address, stressed the need of accelerating the efforts at creating a harmonious society. “Religions should appropriate a concerted effort at extending service to the weaker sections as well as to one another. This is the right spirit of religion,” he said.

Inviting the leaders of different religions to actively engage themselves in promoting creative relations among people of all faiths, Mr Sayed Sibte Razi, Governor of Jharkhand, urged the country to “rise above prejudices and vested interests and to commit themselves to the country as good citizens.”

According to Major General Shree Dalip Singh Bhardwaj, just as the armed forces are composed of people from diverse sections of the society, having different religious, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, “The same is and should be the psychological fabric of the Indian society.” This according to him is the “real spirit of co–operation.”

Fr. Dr. M.D. Thomas, Executive Secretary of CBCI Commission for Dialogue, in his address highlighted the diverse dimensions of the pluralistic mosaic of the country. “The real culture of India is a composite one. The Constitution of India stands singular in its provisions for secularism and the country can in no way afford to be attached to one religious sect, ideology or culture,” he said, adding, “Maintaining a spirit of good will for all and joining hands with all religious communities is the surest way of building a better society.”

Bishop Julius Marandi, Chairman, BIJHAN Commission for Dialogue, welcomed the gathering and called the attention of the audience to the “imperative character” of the mission of communal harmony.

All the speakers had a unanimous focus on ‘sadbhaana aur sahyog’ as the joint strategy for the making of a better society. The gathering arrived at a decision to follow up the scheme with many action–oriented events.