Poona bishop says religions should promote peace

(December 23, 2011) An inter-faith meet at Pune, India, earlier this week has stressed that all religions should promote peace and harmony and aim at restoring the dignity of the human person. “Peace and harmony are at the heart of every religion. All religions should work toward eradicating corruption and poverty and restoring basic dignity of the human person,” said Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona. The prelate who is also member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, was addressing a gathering of more than 100 people of different faiths on Monday in Pune city, formerly Poona. “Let peace begin with each one of us as we prepare for Christmas and New Year,” added Bishop Dabre. “Religions for Peace” was the theme of the meet, organized by Ishvani Kendra, an institute of Missiology and Communications run by Divine Word congregation. Mulla Phiroz Poonawalla, a prominent Muslim leader, said Islam means peace, to surrender to God and serve his fellowmen. But he regretted that due to few misguided elements indulging in violence, all Muslims are “misunderstood as violent people”. Surjeet Kaur Chahal, representing Sikhism, said “true peace can be achieved by tolerating people of other faiths and accepting them as valid paths to reach God.” Lord Mahavir’s tenets of non-violence were still relevant and if practiced, would usher in peace, said Pujya Prashant Rishiji of Jain religion. Jesuit priest Fr Noel Sheth, a retired professor of Hinduism was the moderator of the two-hour interfaith meet that provided enriching reflection, sharing and meditation.