Indian bishop condemns Spain terrorist attacks
Archbishop Machado chairs the Office for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Episcopal Conferences. "It seems that humanity has abandoned the dream of living a happy life." Encourage encounter between religious leaders who want peace.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Terrorist attacks only serve to "panic people and distance peace", says Msgr. Felix Anthony Machado, Archbishop of Vasai (Maharashtra), commenting on yesterday's bombings on the Ramblas in Barcelona (Spain) and the attack in Cambrils, Spain, foiled by local police.
Speaking with AsiaNews he voices clear condemnation of the latest Islamic extremist attacks in Europe, and recalls the affable and cordial character of the Spanish people whom he has met on numerous occasions. "A people - he says – who have always shown great respect for all religions. God shows us peace. We must not lose hope. We must not lose courage. We must not stop receiving God's peace and establishing it upon earth. "
Msgr Machado, chair of the Office for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Episcopal Conferences (Fabc), argues that "leaders of all religions must join each time they can" to build a peace society. It almost seems, he adds, "that humanity has abandoned the dream of living a happy life." Speaking also of building a climate of dialogue, which would help to prevent the spread of radical ideas, he admits that everyone, political and ecclesial representatives, " are not doing enough to deal with this emergency situation."
That is why the Archbishop underlined the importance of peace initiatives such as the "World Peace and Harmony Conclave", which he attended last August 13 in Mumbai. The meeting was promoted by Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, a local organization working for harmony, and attended by representatives of all religions. For Buddhism, the Dalai Lama; For Hinduism, guru Baba Ramdev. "There are many people - he says - that are tired of religions that seem to do nothing but fight each other. Some people are pushing to harm coexistence and it seems they do not want peace at all. " Instead, "meetings like this are fundamental."
In Hinduism, he continues, "those who walk in darkness are called tamas. But while the Hindu doctrine of Bhagavad Gita feels that this is their way, the Gospel of Jesus tells us that they do not necessarily have to live that way. This means leaving a margin for change and pushing them to change. The Gita also invites to change, but many believe that that road is their 'karma' and that nothing can be changed except through the cycle of rebirths. " Finally, Msgr. Machado argues that "the Church must be present at similar events. All of us were moved by a spirit of deep brotherhood, with a real effort to act together in favor of peace."
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30/03/2019 09:01
