Card Ferrao encourages ‘unity' for Hindu festivity

In a message for Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins today, the archbishop of Goa urged the faithful to share the joy and harmony among religious communities. His message comes in the wake of a controversy caused by a local priest whose remarks failed to uphold mutual respect. For the cardinal, “Catholics are called to acknowledge, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral values found” in “other religious traditions.”

Goa (AsiaNews) – Today, a 10-day festival begins in much of India, celebrating the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, venerated by Hindus as a bearer of wisdom, luck and prosperity.

At the beginning of the festival, idols that depict the deity are placed on raised platforms in houses or in richly decorated outdoor spaces, and then taken to the rivers in large processions accompanied by drums, devotional songs and dances to be immersed in water.

Archbishop Card Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa took this opportunity to express his best wishes to Goa’s Hindu community. In a message, the cardinal highlighted the meaning of the festivity.

“As our Hindu brethren celebrate the traditional festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, with great religious fervour, devotion and joy, I would like to convey, along with the Catholic faithful of this Archdiocese, peaceful greetings to every member of the Hindu community in this State,” the archbishop said in a statement.

“This auspicious festival calls for the removal of obstacles, growth in wisdom and promotion of unity, creating thereby a serene environment for enjoying togetherness, sharing happiness and promoting cultural integrity,” he added.

Card Ferrao’s words take on particular significance this year in Goa because just a few days ago the prelate had to express "deep regrets" after a video appeared in which a member of the local clergy was heard speaking dismissively of other gods.

Explaining that he had taken steps to ensure that such behaviour does not happen again, the archbishop of Goa acknowledged that the priest's remarks "went against the authentic spirit of interreligious dialogue and mutual respect.”

Card Ferrao went on to say that, “According to the teachings of the Church, Catholics are called to acknowledge, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral values found in the social life and culture of other religious traditions.”

• india
• goa
• ganesh
• card ferrao
• best wishes
• apology
• controversy