Vatican to Hindus, respect for religious freedom world over
Message of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for the festival of Diwali. "Although the exercise of this right includes the freedom of every person to profess, practice and propagate his religion or belief, whether in public or private, individually or communally, it also involves a serious obligation on the part of civil authorities, of individuals and groups, to respect the freedom of others. "
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Hindus should feel , together with Christians, that the promotion of religious freedom "is our common responsibility", given that it is "counted among the fundamental human rights, which are rooted in the dignity of the human person", because "when it is jeopardized or denied, all other rights are in danger”, says the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in its message sent to the Hindus marking the Feast of Diwali.
The festival is celebrated by all Hindus and is known as Deepavali or "row of oil lamps." Symbolically, based on ancient mythology, it represents the victory of truth over untruth, light over darkness, life over death, good over evil. The celebration lasts three days marking the beginning of a new year, family reconciliation, especially between brothers and sisters, and the worship of God. Celebrated on different days depending on the location, this year for many Hindus it will fall on October 26.
The message, traditionally published on this occasion, comes during a period in which incidents of intolerance against Christians by Hindu extremists have become more frequent and more violent, to which the document does not explicitly refer. But, titled "Christians and Hindus: Together in promoting religious freedom," it says that the issue " is currently taking centre stage in many places, calling our attention to those members of our human family exposed to bias, prejudice, hate propaganda, discrimination and persecution on the basis of religious affiliation. Religious freedom is the answer to religiously motivated conflicts in many parts of the world. Amid the violence triggered by these conflicts, many desperately yearn for peaceful coexistence and integral human development ".
"Freedom of religion - continues the document, signed by the president and secretary of the Pontifical Council, Cardinal. Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran and Archbishop. Pier Luigi Celata - is numbered among the fundamental human rights rooted in the dignity of the human person. When it is jeopardized or denied, all other human rights are endangered. Religious freedom necessarily includes immunity from coercion by any individual, group, community or institution. Though the exercise of this right entails the freedom of every person to profess, practise and propagate his or her religion or belief, in public or in private, alone or in a community, it also involves a serious obligation on the part of civil authorities, individuals and groups to respect the freedom of others. Moreover, it includes the freedom to change one's own religion".
" When respected and promoted, religious freedom allows believers to be more enthusiastic about cooperating with their fellow citizens in the building of a just and humane social order. But wherever and whenever it is denied, suppressed or violated, "the growth of the authentic and lasting peace of the whole human family" is stifled and frustrated (cf. Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the World Day of Peace, 2011). There are many fields in which a specific contribution can be made to the common good, such as the defence of life and the dignity of the family, the sound education of children, honesty in daily conduct, and the preservation of natural resources, to name a few. Let us strive, then, to join hands in promoting religious freedom as our shared responsibility, by asking the leaders of nations never to disregard the religious dimension of the human person".
The festival is celebrated by all Hindus and is known as Deepavali or "row of oil lamps." Symbolically, based on ancient mythology, it represents the victory of truth over untruth, light over darkness, life over death, good over evil. The celebration lasts three days marking the beginning of a new year, family reconciliation, especially between brothers and sisters, and the worship of God. Celebrated on different days depending on the location, this year for many Hindus it will fall on October 26.
The message, traditionally published on this occasion, comes during a period in which incidents of intolerance against Christians by Hindu extremists have become more frequent and more violent, to which the document does not explicitly refer. But, titled "Christians and Hindus: Together in promoting religious freedom," it says that the issue " is currently taking centre stage in many places, calling our attention to those members of our human family exposed to bias, prejudice, hate propaganda, discrimination and persecution on the basis of religious affiliation. Religious freedom is the answer to religiously motivated conflicts in many parts of the world. Amid the violence triggered by these conflicts, many desperately yearn for peaceful coexistence and integral human development ".
"Freedom of religion - continues the document, signed by the president and secretary of the Pontifical Council, Cardinal. Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran and Archbishop. Pier Luigi Celata - is numbered among the fundamental human rights rooted in the dignity of the human person. When it is jeopardized or denied, all other human rights are endangered. Religious freedom necessarily includes immunity from coercion by any individual, group, community or institution. Though the exercise of this right entails the freedom of every person to profess, practise and propagate his or her religion or belief, in public or in private, alone or in a community, it also involves a serious obligation on the part of civil authorities, individuals and groups to respect the freedom of others. Moreover, it includes the freedom to change one's own religion".
" When respected and promoted, religious freedom allows believers to be more enthusiastic about cooperating with their fellow citizens in the building of a just and humane social order. But wherever and whenever it is denied, suppressed or violated, "the growth of the authentic and lasting peace of the whole human family" is stifled and frustrated (cf. Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the World Day of Peace, 2011). There are many fields in which a specific contribution can be made to the common good, such as the defence of life and the dignity of the family, the sound education of children, honesty in daily conduct, and the preservation of natural resources, to name a few. Let us strive, then, to join hands in promoting religious freedom as our shared responsibility, by asking the leaders of nations never to disregard the religious dimension of the human person".
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