Protect, preserve and promote inter–religious harmony, urges Varanasi Bishop

Lucknow – In the wake of the rise of anti–Christian violence in India, the Bishop of Varanasi has urged everyone to cooperate together, understand and respect each other’s social, religious and cultural beliefs and promote inter–religious harmony.

“‘Kindly feeling’ towards people of all religious traditions has been the time–tested distinct identity of Indian culture,” said the bishop, speaking as the chief guest at a recent seminar on ‘Socio–religious harmony’ organized by Maitri Bhawan, an inter religious Dialogue Centre and Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth at Gandhi Abhyayanpeeth, Varanasi.

A great proponent of peace and inter–religious dialogue, Bishop Patrick D’Souza expressed his concerns over the growth in communal violence, citing the communal carnage of 2002 in Gujarat and more recently, the communal riots at Mau, in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

“It is quite distressing that in a country which has all along been propagating the noble principle of ‘Vasudhaiv kutumbakam,’ (The Whole World is One Family) communal carnage like these are taking place,” he said.

Expressing hope for the future, the 78 year–old prelate stated, “But it is heartening to note that teachers and scholars of different religious beliefs and humanists gathered here are engaged in a serious collective reflection to chalk out ways and means to protect, preserve and to promote peace and harmony in the society.”

The Seminar was part of the concluding session of a week–long training program on ‘Inter Religious dialogue and collaboration’ jointly organized by the Agra Regional CRI, CBCI Commission for Inter Religious Harmony and Maitri Bhawan.

Distinguished scholars form various Religious Institutes and Universities of the city addressed the gathering. As a grand finale to the entire training program, an All Religious Prayer Service, to celebrate the festivals of Deepavali, Id, and Birth Anniversaries of Baha Ulla and Guru Nanak Dev was held in the same venue in which scores of people from different walks of life participated.