By Matters India Reporter
Pilar, Aug 29, 2023: The participants of a seminar on the “Basics of interreligious dialogue” have resolved to organize parish level programs to create awareness among the Goan Catholics about the need to interact with people of other religions.
They plan to spend “quality time” with villagers of other religions, especially during their festivals.
To promote interreligious dialogue, they would organize sports and cultural festivals with the participation of all people.
They have resolved to celebrate days of national importance with all people and write on Interreligious dialogue in their parish bulletins.
These resolutions emerged from the August 26-27 seminar held at Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Pilar, Goa.
More than 80 participants from 40 parishes participated in the seminar., jointly organized by the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the Society of Pilar’s Sadbhav (good will).
Sadbhav convener Father Elvis Fernandes, while welcoming the gathering said that the program was designed to nurture in the participants the value of interreligious dialogue. “We need to be creative and build new ways of goodwill and harmony between communities,” he added.
On the first day, Father Ivon Almeida, professor at the Pilar Theological Institute, while speaking on “Understanding Inter-Religious Dialogue,” stressed that dialogue with people of other religions should become life, and “not merely religion, as life is greater than religion.”
Later Father Agnelo Pinheiro, the convener of the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue, who spoke on the topic of “Creed, Code and Cult of India’s Major religions,” explained the basic tenets of Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism and stressed the four words important for interreligious dialogue — Accept, Respect, Introspect and Act.
On the second day, Father Santosh Mendonca, professor at the Pilar Theological Institute, addressed the Biblical basis for interreligious dialogue while Father Heston Ferrao, professor at the Rachol Seminary, the archdiocesan major seminary, presented the Church documents on the topic. Both the priests urged the participants to see goodness in all people, to love without boundaries and that God’s mercy and love extends to all.
A presentation on ‘Religion and the Human Mind’ by Father Elvis Fernandes, presented the psychological processes behind religious experiences. Understanding the psychological dimensions will foster greater interfaith dialogue, promote spiritual well-being, and create a more inclusive and empathetic society, he asserted.
During the group discussion facilitated by Father Ramiro Luis, assistant professor at St. Xavier’s College, the participants referred to Catholics well known for their interreligious living. They also watched videos on values for interreligious harmony and discussed a road map for dialogue activities at the parish, deanery and institutional level.