Varanasi: To promote diversity of religions and foster a world of peace and love, a delegation from the Pontifical Council for Inter Religious Dialogue (PCID), Rome, will be in Varanasi and have series of meetings with people of different faiths at various religious centers in Varanasi, Feb 15-16.
The PCID is the central office of the Catholic Church for the promotion of inter-religious dialogue encouraged by the Second Vatican Council. This was particularly stressed in “Nostra Aetate,” the document on the Church’s relation to other religions, that Pope Paul VI released in 1965 as a part of Second Vatican Council.
The council has the responsibilities—to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of others religious traditions; to encourage the study of religions; to promote the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue.
The delegates are Fr. Miguel Ayuso Guixot, secretary PCID, Fr. Indunil J. Kodithuwakku, undersecretary PCID, Fr. M. Santiago, official PCID, and Bishop Thomas Dabre, member PCID.
Others are Archbishop Felix Machado of Vasai, chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue, Archbishop Albert D’Souza of Agra, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Bishop Peter Parapallil of Jhansi, Chairman, Agra Regional Bishops’ Council (ARBC) commission for Inter Religious Dialogue.
Eminent leaders of diverse religious groups and of the civic society of Varanasi will also be present on this occasion and will interact with the delegates, said Fr. Eugene Joseph, administered of Diocese of Varanasi, a local organizer of the event.
Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio and Vatican Ambassador in India, will address the gathering as well.
The delegation will meet Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim and Hindu communities at various places.
Other speakers include Prof Kamlesh Kumar Jain, Dr. Ashok Singh, Dr. Abdullah Saud, Fr. Paul Amin, Dr. L. N. Shastri, Jesuit Father R. Rocha, Dr. Daljeet Kaur, Fr Yesudeep, Swami Shri Avimukteshwaranand Ji Maharaj and Fr. Satyanand.
Fathers Yesudeep and Satyanand are members of the Indian Missionary Society, an indigenous religious congregation based at Varanasi, engaged in inter-religious dialogue at grassroots level.