Vatican Diwali greetings call for forming 'peace-makers'

Greeting the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali, the Vatican in a message reminded the shared responsibility of Christians and Hindus to mold the young into "peace-makers".

"The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends its warmest greetings and congratulations on the occasion of this year's Deepavali celebrations. May fellowship and fraternity shine forth more and more in your families and communities," stated the message.

Noting that various negative forces threatened the legitimate aspirations for peaceful co-existence, the Vatican said parents, teachers, elders, religious and political leaders, peace-workers, those in the world of communications and all those who have the cause of peace at heart were called to educate the young generation.

"To form young men and women into people of peace and builders of peace is an urgent summons to collective engagement and common action. If peace is to be authentic and enduring, it must be built on the pillars of truth, justice, love and freedom, and all young men and women need to be taught above all to act truthfully and justly in love and freedom," the message stated.

"The family is the first school of peace and the parents the primary educators for peace. By their example and teachings, they have the unique privilege of forming their children in values that are essential for peaceful living: mutual trust, respect, understanding, listening, sharing, caring and forgiving.

"In schools, colleges and universities, as young people mature by relating, studying and working with others from different religions and cultures, their teachers and others responsible for their training have the noble task of ensuring an education that respects and celebrates the innate dignity of all human beings and promotes friendship, justice, peace and cooperation for integral human development."

Religious leaders in particular, the Vatican said, by reason of their vocation to be spiritual and moral leaders, must continue to inspire the young generation to walk the path of peace and to become messengers of peace.

"May all of us seek, always and everywhere, to adhere to the moral and religious imperative to inspire the young as they strive to become peace-makers," the Vatican message concluded.

This year Diwali falls on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The Hindu celebration is popularly known as the "Festival of Lights" and is celebrated throughout India and by Indians across the globe.