Study Seminar on Interreligious Dialogue Held
New Delhi (CBCI News): A study seminar on Interreligious Dialogue was held for the priests and religious of Agra region at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Cathedral Campus, Agra, 10-12 March. The program was organized by the C.B.C.I. Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism. 21 participants including two archbishops and two bishops were present. Prior to the seminar a large number of believers of different religions gathered together at Sadbhavana, Diocesan Centre Aligarh for a Symposium on Human Development and Promotion of Peace.
The purpose of this study seminar is to offer the participants an understanding of the Church’s teaching on Interreligious Dialogue. In the multi-cultural and pluri-religious context of India, it is very important to have a deeper understanding of the Church’s teaching with regard to dialogue with believers of other religions. “Ecumenical dialogue and interreligious dialogue constitute a veritable vocation for the Church” (Ecclesia in Asia, 29). The CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism has considered it as one of its topmost pastoral concerns for 2012-2015.
Archbishop Felix Machado, Chairperson CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, spoke on Interreligious Dialogue, The Church in Dialogue and Christian Witness in a Multi-religious World. Sr. Teresa Joseph dealt with The Year of Faith: Dialogue and New Evangelization.
Fr. Varghese Kunnath, Regional Secretary for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism Agra Region, got the participants to get involved prior to the seminar on the challenges and opportunities present in the socio-cultural context of Agra Region for interreligious dialogue. The participants had already gathered data on the attitudes they encounter among believers of other religions that facilitate dialogue, peace and harmony. All this has immensely facilitated to draw up a concrete Action Plan for the Church in Dialogue in the Agra Region.
One of the salient features of this study seminar was the Interreligious Prayer Meet of the Agra Region. Almost 50 persons including religious leaders and representatives of neighbouring religious communities took part. The Prayer moment was followed by offering of messages all centered on how to promote peace, love and harmony. A team of experts under the leadership of Archbishop Albert D’Souza arranged the interreligious prayer meet.