November 13, 2012: Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona, India, an expert on inter-religious
dialogue and promoter or sectarian harmony, has called for rooting out corruption
by fostering morality and spirituality among people.
“It is really shameful
and unbearable to have widespread corruption'' in a country of philosophers, holy
men and women and religious places, said the prelate in his message on the occasion
of Diwali, the festival lights, celebrated today.
Bishop Dabre says the festival,
an integral part of India’s cultural life, is an occasion for people to get inspiration
for a happy and fuller life.
He said the dream of Diwali, victory of good over
evil, cannot be realized as long as corruption existed in society. Diwali can be meaningful
in a society that has morality and spirituality as its bedrock, he added.
Absence
of morality and spirituality is at the root of all our problems. Strengthening the
moral and spiritual fabric of society is an important need of the moment, he added.
Therefore,
it is the duty of every citizen to support efforts to root out corruption, Bishop
Dabre said.