Message for Diwali Feast in India

 Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, has extended a cordial Diwali message to the Hindu friends wishing them peace and joy as they gather with their loved ones and the community. Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated all over India. In his message the Cardinal said that we should consider how we can live harmoniously in today's society, witnessing to the truth, light and hope that Diwali celebrates. He referred to the message of Pope Benedict XVI that “In the world there is too much violence, too much injustice, and therefore this situation cannot be overcome except by countering it with more love, with more goodness. This more comes from God. Thus by the mercy of God … it is possible to tip the balance of the world from evil to good, when we recognize that it begins in that small and decisive ‘world’ which is the human heart” Referring to the Hindu tradition the Prelate said that non-violence is one of the more important teachings. Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Indian nation, is respected and held in high regard by people of different generations around the world for his complete dedication to the service of humanity. He is a model for non-violence and he led by example to the point of laying down his life because of his refusal to engage in violence. This non-violence is encouraged by many other religions. It is central to our beliefs as the way to promote truth, light, mutual respect, freedom and harmony. As religious leaders called to uphold the truth found in our respective religions, he invited them to foster non-violence among their followers and support it in their actions. “Let us do all we can to promote the sacredness of human life, the good of the poor and lowly in our midst and collaborate, through dialogue, to foster the dignity of the human person regardless of race or caste, creed or class,” said Cardinal Tauran.