By Matters India Reporter
Margao: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India will collaborate with the Society of Pilar to bring together leaders from various faith traditions to promote secularism and harmonious living.
The April 5 event will take place at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, the commercial capital of Goa. Its focus is on “Collective Action for Dialogue and Social Harmony” and “Youth of India: Looking Forward.”
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa and Daman is the chief guest at the program. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary general of the bishops’ conference, Father Sebastian Mascarenhas, superior general of the Society of Pilar, and Father Alarico Carvalho, regional superior of the order’s Agnel Region, will address the meeting.
Other speakers include Sushil Goswamy Maharaj, president, Bharatya Sarv Dharm Sansad, Paramjeet Singh Chandok, chairman of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, president, Imam Council of India, Vivek Muni, president, Mahavir Jain Mission, and Bikku Sanghasena, founder, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh.
The event is open to the public.
The event is being held in the backdrop of growing intolerance in the country. The country’s parliamentary democracy is in peril while host of other issues affect India’s tolerant and secular character that forms the bedrock of its strong economy.