Live in harmony, promote peace in world, urges Cardinal Ferrão

THE GOAN NETWORK | DECEMBER 01, 2022, 11:22 PM IST
Live in harmony, promote peace in world, urges Cardinal Ferrão

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, veteran journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai and others at the programme.

OLD GOA

On the occasion of the ongoing novenas of St Francis Xavier, the Committee for the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman organised an Inter-Religious meeting on December 1 at the Basilica of Bom Jesus Old Goa. The theme chosen for the occasion was: Religious Harmony: Towards a Peaceful World.
Acknowledging the need of Divine grace to live in harmony and promote peace in the world, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão called upon the gathering to pray together for the noble cause and then invoked God’s blessings on everyone present.
The Parra Church choir led by Fr John Fernandes sang hymns and bhajans in different Indian languages, while novices of Our Lady of Angels and Holy Family Novitiate presented a choreographed prayer dance.
Cardinal Ferrão along with other dignitaries then symbolised unity in diversity by pouring water from one tumbler into a potted-plant. Children with special needs from St Xavier’s academy put up a dance.
Sandesh Prabhudesai, veteran journalist, writer and publisher, representing the Hindu faith, highlighted the necessity of living the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kuttumbhakam’- a call for living as one family.
He said that in his research on the Konkani language, he was surprised to find that there is word ‘Mog’ for love, but there is no original Konkani word for ‘hate’. He implied that our ancestors always wanted all Goans to live as one family with love irrespective of religious affiliations.
Ustaad Abdul Khuddus Khan, an electrical engineer and teacher, representing the Islamic community, highlighted that the connotation of harmony, which includes peace, evokes us to be truly concerned about our fellow brothers and sisters transcending all differences.
He said Islam invites all to live with righteousness, respecting and valuing every human person but at the same time making sure that we refrain from causing harm to anyone out of vengeance, hatred or ill will.
Dr Elvis Gonsalves, Principal of St Andrew’s HSS, Vasco, representing the Catholic community, drew inspiration from the Gospels and the teachings of the Church and focussed on the life of Jesus who transcended all boundaries to spread the good news.
He emphasised that the Church teachings invite people to acknowledge, appreciate and promote all that is good in other religions without comprising one’s own faith convictions.
An English skit by students of St Michael’s HS, Anjuna and a mime by students of St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, brought out how religious harmony promotes true peace and common well-being in the world.
All participants later took a pledge to work in unison, live in harmony and to promote peace in the world. Fr Agnelo Pinheiro, Convenor of the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue, proposed the vote of thanks.  
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