Bangladesh praised as interfaith leader by Cardinal Tauran

(April 28, 2011) Bangladesh is a model of interreligious harmony, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran , President of Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for Interreligious Dialogue said during an official tour of the country. “I have said a number of times during my stay here, that Bangladesh is considered as an example, a model for interreligious dialogue and harmony. It can be placed at the services of world today,” said Cardinal Tauran, who on Thursday completed a three-day tour of Bangladesh – his first to the country. Among other engagements, the French cardinal, a former Vatican foreign minister, also addressed a crowd in Dhaka at a Conference on “Interreligious Dialogue and Harmony” on Wednesday. “Bangladesh has shown how it is possible for people in a multi-religious society live in peace and harmony.” he said in a keynote address. More than 500 religious leaders, dignitaries and representatives from various religions and Christian denominations including Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Marino, attended .
The event organized by Catholic bishops’ Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue (EC-CUIRD) included readings from Holy Scriptures Qur’an, Gita, Tripitaka and the Bible. Cardinal Tauran said discussions between faiths was more important than ever today when there is “a tendency to see religion as a problem.”