Bishop Dabre: Stop Fundamentalism with Dialogue, Following Example of Mother Teresa
(September 06,2008) In response to the violence against Christians in Orissa, the
diocese of Vasai celebrated on Friday September 5, the feast of Mother Teresa under
the banner of interreligious dialogue. Meetings were scheduled with representatives
of all the religions, together with a program on the value of dialogue and encounter
among the religions in the schools. Teacher's Day is also celebrated in India on the
5th of September, recalling the services of a great teacher, Dr. S Radhakrishnan..
It was the initiative of the bishop of Vasai, Thomas Dabre, a member of the Pontifical
Council for Interreligious Dialogue. While inviting groups from various religions
for the programme, the Bishop said that on the day dedicated to Mother Teresa, the
Teacher's Day is celebrated in the spirit of Mother Teresa, with special prayers and
interreligious dialogue in all our schools. Our aim is to teach the school children
the importance of dialogue, peace, harmony and understanding among religions,” he
said. He added that in his own mission in interreligious dialogue, he is guided by
Mother Teresa and she is the motivation never to make discrimination on the grounds
of religion, when one attends seminars or even shares the sorrows and joys of people.
For the people of India, Blessed Mother Teresa is a wonderful example of interreligious
dialogue, he said. Although Mother Teresa was a devout and committed Catholic nun,
she was honoured and in fact venerated even during her life by all Indians across
religious and cultural divides. Moreover, peoples across the globe of all religions
were working with Mother and collaborating with her closely. Her works of charity,
compassion, love for the poorest of the poor, transcended the boundaries that have
kept the world’s religious faiths either isolated or at odds with one another, he
concluded.