The world needs Gandhian values says Indian Jesuit priest
(Oct. 3, 2012) As the world marked International Day of Non-Violence on Tuesday,
an Indian Jesuit priest and human rights activist said that the world is desperately
in need of non violence and zeal for truth as lived by Mahatma Gandhi. Jesuit priest
Fr. Cedric Prakash was commenting on the ideals of the Father of the Indian Nation,
whose birthday falls on October 2, which the UN designated as the International Day
of Non Violence in 2007. This year's celebration comes at time of great tensions:
violence in the Arab world related to the anti-Muhammad movie, Muslim attacks against
Buddhists in Bangladesh, Hindu nationalist attacks against Christians in India, and
bombs against churches in Africa. "In a context of growing religious intolerance,
we are witnessing a rising level of violence, which we must address," said Fr. Prakash,
director of the Prashant Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace in Ahmedabad,
Gujerat. For him, the world today has a "desperate need" to rediscover two Gandhian
ideals, namely Ahimsa or non-violence and satyagraha or zeal for truth. He said
"Whatever the provocation, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands."
With the fast approaching 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops scheduled
17-28 October in the Vatican, Fr- Prakash called on all Christians to take radical
and prophetic positions on the side of truth and justice, and bear witness to their
faith in peaceful and non-violent ways, just as Jesus did." He added that today there
is a desperate need for a new evangelization and a society based on Gandhian values.