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D I A L O G U E

Vol. XI No. 2 April - June 2014

The Bombay Archdiocesan Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue

President : Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes

Chairman : Fr. S. M. Michael SVD

Office Add. : Institute of Indian Culture, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri, Mumbai - 400 093

Telephone : 2836 8038

Email : [email protected] / [email protected]

Members : Dr. (Mrs) Valerie D’Souza, Fr. Gilbert de Lima & Fr. Aniceto Pereira.

1. Christian Responsibility in the

Emerging Political Scenario in India - Editorial Fr. S.M. Michael SVD 2

2. Vatican Marks Golden Jubilee of Vatican News Service 4

The Pontifical Council for IRD

3. Inter-Religious Prayer on Independence Day Sr. Alice Serrao 6

4. Inter-Faith Events

lInter Religious meet in Amman Vatican News Service 11

lPope Francis initiates Prayer for Peace Vatican News Service 12

6. Proposed Activities for an IRD Cell Fr. Aniceto Pereira 15

mJeleb$elee efoJeme keâer ØeeLe&vee meYee Mr. P. X. Swami

lIRD Celebration of the Easter at Mount Mary Marie D’Souza 14

Editorial

Sammelan XI - 2 : Apr-June 2014 u 2

With the winning of the Bhartiya Janata

Party in the last election in May 2014, now we

have a new government, a new Prime

Minister, and a new direction with a new

political ideology. There is a lot of discussion

on the political changes the country has seen.

What is the role and responsibility of

Christians in the emerging new political

situation?

The previous Congress regime was largely

guilty of ignoring Christians. Barring a few

cronies among the Congress leadership, the

community found little representation in

government or the development discourse.

The Congress turned its face from the long

standing demand of Dalit Christians to

constitutional rights given to those

profess ing o ther fa i ths . Congress

governments passed several anti-conversion

laws in the states. And although the

perpetrators were members of the short-

sighted and narrow-minded Sangh Parivar

groups, Congress governments did little to

check the persecution of Christians and

violence against churches and pastors in

many parts of the country.

In the new government, the Prime Minister

Mr. Narendra Modi has in a way tried to

wave an olive branch, if only to soothe fears

a m o n g r e l i g i o u s m i n o r i t i e s f r o m

emboldened Hindu fundamentalist groups,

who have already started shouting for an

extremely nationalistic agenda that includes

CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY IN

THE EMERGING POLITICAL SCENARIO IN INDIA

dismantling personal laws of Muslims, and

the construction of a Ram temple at the

disputed site of the Babri mosque in the

holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr. Modi has tried to reach out to Muslims

without alienating his core group of

supporters. In his inaugural speech in

the Lok Sabha, Modi said, “If one organ

of the body remains weak, the body

cannot be termed as healthy. We are

committed to this. We don’t see it as

appeasement. We have to do focused

activity to change lives of Muslims; they

cannot be left behind in development.”

Modi did not mention the Christian

community in his long speech. He has not

appointed a Christian minister to his cabinet.

His party has not indicated that it even knows

about the needs of the community, whose

tribal, Dalit and rural poor are among the

most deprived segments in Indian society.

In this new situation, the Christians need to be

engaged with the new government so that all

communities, especially the poor and the

marginalized find their right place; and

justice is done to all. There are positive

indications by this government towards this

direction from what we hear of a

transformative economic agenda. In his

Parliament speech on June 11, Prime Minister

Narendra Modi used novel policy language

for poverty alleviation: “the poor don’t want

crumbs from the table; they need the


capabilities to fight poverty”. And how can

these capabilities be provided? It is by

education, sanitation and skill development.

Here is an opportunity for Christians to

collaborate with the vision of the government

through our social and welfare institutions.

Knowing the past historical struggle in the

freedom movement and formation of the

Indian Constitution, the new government

may have to strike a new balance between

secular nationalism and Hindu nationalism.

There has been a great undying struggle

between the two conceptions of India: secular

nationalist and Hindu nationalist. Now, the

Hindu nationalists having come to power

need to live the spirit of the Constitution in

letter and spirit. There will be a struggle to

keep the balance between secular nationalism

and Hindu nationalism.

Here comes the dialogue aspect of the Indian

future. Christians need to collaborate with

the government for all the development

programmes. But at the same time, they also

need to engage in dialogue with the

government for an inclusive development of

all the people in India. Christians need to

collaborate with other religions and cultural

groups to dialogue with the government for

an overall development of all ethnic, cultural

and religious communities. This is the future.

This engagement is really a dialogue of

political action. This type of dialogue is

shifting the focus away from scholars and

religious leaders to ordinary believers,

reformulating dialogue from being an

activity of the elite to understanding it as the

task of grassroots Christians and their

neighbours. As the Papal document

Redemptoris Missio points out, “each

member of the faithful and all Christian

communities are called to practice dialogue,

although not always to the same degree or in

the same way” (RM:57). This is what is called

“the dialogue of life”. This type of dialogue

refers to Christians and followers of other

religions living the highest ideals of their

respective faiths in the midst of others. Their

lives become the dialogue.

In addition to the dialogue of life, this is also a

dialogue of being and doing. This implies a

dialogue of people of various religious

communities living out their duties and

values in pluralist settings, and are also

engaged in working together on common

concerns aimed at joint contribution to

society. This type of dialogue may also be

referred to as “dialogue of collaboration for

common goals: that of building harmonious

societies, support for those who suffer

injustice and discrimination, common action

for defense of human rights, and a common

stand on ethical questions”.

Even as we celebrate Independence Day, we

recollect the sacrifices made by people of all

faiths to win freedom for our country. And

we continue to work together in the

contemporary scenario, asking God to give

the Church in India the grace to discover its

unique role in and contribution to the

development of our motherland. Happy

Independence Day.

Fr. S. M. Michael SVD


VATICAN MARKS GOLDEN JUBILEE

OF INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious

Dialogue marked the 50th anniversary of its

foundation on Monday with a Mass in St

Peter’s Basilica and a conference looking

back at the achievements of the past half

century of interfaith relations.

It was on Pentecost Sunday, 1964, that Pope

Paul VI instituted a special department of

the Roman Curia for relations with the

people of other religions. Known at first as

the Secretariat for Non Christians, in 1988 it

was renamed the Pontifical Council for

Interreligious Dialogue (PCID).

The PCID is the central office of the Catholic

Church for the promotion of interreligious

dialogue in accordance with the spirit of the

Second Vatican Council, in particular the

declaration ”Nostra Aetate”. It has the

following responsibilities:

lto promote mutual understanding,

respect and collaboration between

Catholics and the followers of others

religious traditions;

lto encourage the study of religions;

lto promote the formation of persons

dedicated to dialogue.

Although the PCID is the central office for

dialogue in the Catholic Church, dialogue is

mainly carried out in and through the Local

Churches. Many Local Churches have

dialogue commissions, at the national or

regional level. The PCID works in close

collaboration with these, and encourages

their formation where they do not yet exist.

The ecumenical dimension of interreligious

dialogue is kept in mind. The PCID has an

o n g o i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e

corresponding office in the World Council of

Churches.

The PCID restricts itself to religious

questions. Its brief does not extend to socio-

political issues. The Roman Curia has

various departments, each with its own


specific competence. Broader issues are

discussed in inter-departmental meetings.

The Structure of the PCID consists of :

lDecis ion-making body : th i s i s

composed of the Members of the

Council, about 30 in number, Cardinals

and Bishops, from different parts of the

world.

lAdvisory body: the PCID has about 50

advisors, called Consultors, specialists

in religious studies or in the practice of

interreligious dialogue, residing in all

continents.

lExecutive body: the permanent staff in

Rome, made up of President, Secretary,

Under-Secretary and other bureau

chiefs, for Islam, staff members for

Africa and Asia, a staff member for New

R e l i g i o u s M o v e m e n t s , a n

administrative assistant and support

staff.

The Activities of the PCID comprise :

l Welcoming Visitors: The PCID receives

many visits from religious leaders.

They are invited to dialogue with staff

m e m b e r s . W h e r e a p p r o p r i a t e

Audiences are arranged with H.H. the

Pope.

l Visits: The President and the Secretary

visit local Churches to become more

familiar with the local situation and to

encourage dialogue. On these occasions

they visit leaders of other religions and

different institutions in order to

promote better understanding and

collaboration.

l Meetings: The Council organizes

dialogue meetings, or more often

participates in such meetings organized

by other bodies, at regional, national or

international levels.

l Publications: A number of books and

pamphlets have been published on

different aspects of interreligious

dialogue.

Special Commission for religious relations

with Muslims

The PCID has a special commission for

relations with Muslims. This is composed of

a President, Vice-President and Secretary,

and has a small group of eight Consultors. It

engages in studies on different aspects of

Christian-Muslim relations.

The current president of the Council,

Cardinal Jean-

Louis Tauran

a n d i t s

s e c r e t a r y ,

Father Miguel

Ayuso spoke at

the conference

on ’50 years of

service in inter-

r e l i g i o u s

dialogue.’

T h e y a l s o

presented a document entitled ‘Dialogue in

Truth and Charity: pastoral orientations for

inter-religious dialogue’ offering practical

guidelines to pastors and lay people

working in interfaith relations at the local

level.

Vatican News Service


Requirements :

l Prepare a rangoli of India with leaves and

flowers in 3 colours, and keep diyas around the

map, and call dignitaries and the Parish Priest

to light the diyas.

lA samai to light along with wick, oil and a

match box. Small wax diyas for decorating the

rangoli.

lDecorate the hall with flowers or buntings.

India’s freedom songs can be played before

and after the prayer service.

lIf possible, distribute small tri-colour flags to

all people present for the prayer service.

INTRODUCTION

Leader :

Dear brothers and sisters, today we thare celebrating the 67 anniversary

of the Independence of our

country. We are proud to celebrate

this day with great enthusiasm all

over the country.

Pope Francis I, the universal Head

of the Caholics, said in his Apostolic

Exhortation, Evangilii Gaudium(cf 257) which

was published in November 2013, “an attitude of

openness in truth and love must prevail in

dialogue with believers of non-Christian

religions, despite the various obstacles and

difficulties, particularly fundamentalism on

both sides.” Recognizing the fact that there are

situations in the world where coexistence is

difficult due to fear, the Holy Father underlined

that the one way to overcome this fear, was to

foster dialogue. He underlined the importance of

friendship and respect between men and women

of different religious traditions.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PRAYER SERVICE th15 August 2014

DeeJeMÙekeâleeSB :- l

YeejleJe<e& keâer jbieesueer lewÙeej keâerefpeÙes Deewj Gme vekeäMes kesâ Ûeejesb Deesj oerhe mepeeFS Deewj ØepJeefuele keâjves kesâ efueÙes heuueer hegjesefnle leLee DevÙe Øeefleef‰le JÙeefkeäleÙeeW keâes Deecebef$ele keâerefpeÙes ~

lSkeâ meceF&, ØepJeefuele keâjves kesâ efueS, yeeleer, lesue Deewj ceeefÛeme kesâ meeLe ~ Úesšs, ceesce kesâ oerhe, jbieesueer keâes mepeeves kesâ efueÙes ~

lmeYeeIej keâes HetâueeW Deewj PeefC[ÙeeW mes mepeeFÙes ~ ØeeLe&vee meYee kesâ hetJe& Deewj heMÛeele YeejleerÙe mJeleb$elee efoJeme kesâ

ieerle yepeeS peeBS ~lÙeefo nes mekesâ lees ØeeLe&vee meYee ceW DeeS

meYeer ueesieeW keâes Úesšs-eflejbies efoÙes peeSB~

ØemleeJevee :DeiegDee efØeÙe YeeFÙees Deewj yenvees ! Deepe

nce Deheves osMe keâer mJeleb$elee keâer 68 Jeerb nw Je<e& ieeb" cevee jns nw ~ meejs osMe, ceW peesMe kesâ meeLe Fme GlmeJe keâes ceveeles ngS nceW ieJe& Øeehle nes jne nw ~

ke@âLeefuekeâeW kesâ meeJe&Yeewce DeOÙe#e mevle heehee øeâeefmeme (ØeLece) ves, veJecyej 2013 ceW ØekeâeefMele Deheves Øesefjeflekeâ GheosMe - ‘‘F&Jeebefpeueer ieTef[Ùece’’ (meer.SHeâ.257) keâne nw : ‘‘DevÙe OeceeX keWâ efJeMJeeefmeÙeeW mes ÛeÛee& keâjles meceÙe nceejer ceveesJe=efòe, melÙe Deewj Øesce mes heefjhetCe&, Goejlee keâer nesvee ÛeeefnS ÙeÅeeefhe FmeceW keâF& yeeOeeSB Deewj keâef"veeFÙeeB Deeleer nw, efJeMes<ekeâj oesveeW lejHeâ keâe ®ef{Jeeo’’~ Fme melÙe keâes mJeerkeâej keâjles ngS efkeâ mebmeej ceW Ssmeer efmLeefleÙeeB nw, peneB [j kesâ keâejCe meneefmlelJe keâef"ve nw, mevle heehee ves Fme yeele hej yeue efoÙee nw efkeâ Fme [j keâes otj keâjves keâe Skeâ ner jemlee nw - Deehemeer yeeleÛeerle keâes Øeeslmeeefnle keâjvee ~ GvneWves efJeefYeVe Oeeefce&keâ hejcheje kesâ efŒeÙeeW Deewj heg®<eeW kesâ yeerÛe Deehemeer efce$elee Deewj Deeoj hej peesj efoÙee ~

Hetâue Deewj heefòeÙeeW keâe GheÙeesie keâjkesâ, leerve jbieeW ceW


As we have gathered here to build a bond

between each other without the concern for

religion, caste, creed and colour, we are here to

witness that we are one and belong to one

universal family. We are united and we feel

proud of our culture and tradition. We offer

this prayer service to bring unity amongst

ourselves and peace in a suffering humanity.

Let us feel the presence of God in our midst as

we sing this Bhajan”

Bhajan:

Jyoti tumari sathath chalegi,

Aya hun ujala lene

Prabhu aya hun ujala lene

Charo dishayen azarena…..

Leader :

Light dispels darkness and gives

l i g h t t o e v e r y b o d y . S o

acknowledging ourselves that we

are the light of the world, let us

give this light to others. Invite the

dignitaries and the Parish priest to

light the samai and the diyas and

keep them on the borders of the

map of India.

READINGS

Leader :

We now respectfully listen to readings from the

Sacred Scriptures of major religions of our

country, and explore the dimensions of our

various religions.

The KATHA UPANISHAD (1.iii.14 ….) :

“Both the good and the pleasant approach a man.

The wise man, pondering over them,

discriminates. The wise chooses the good in

preference to the pleasant. The simple-minded,

for the sake of worldly well-being, prefers the

pleasant.”

Oece&, peeefle, cele Deewj jbie kesâ efJeÛeejeW keâes ÚesÌ[keâj nce ÙeneB Deehemeer yevOeve mLeeefhele keâjves kesâ efueÙes pecee ngS nQ ~ nce ÙeneB Ùen osKeves kesâ efueS GheefmLele nw efkeâ nce meye Skeâ nw Deewj meeJe&Yeewce heefjJeej kesâ meomÙe nQ ~ nce meye Skeâ nw ~ nceW Deheveer meYÙelee Deewj hejcheje hej ieJe& nw ~ Fme ØeeLe&vee meYee keâe ue#Ùe nw efkeâ nceejs yeerÛe Skeâlee yeveer jns Deewj heerefÌ[le ceeveJelee kesâ yeerÛe Meebefle Øeehle nes~

Ùen Yepeve ieeles meceÙe nce Deheves yeerÛe F&MJej yeer GheefmLeefle DevegYeJe keâjs.

Yepeve :pÙeesefle legcnejer meoe peuesieer,DeeÙee ntB Gpeeuee uesvesØeYeg DeeÙee ntB Gpeeuee uesves

Ûeejes efoMeeSB ............

DeiegDee :ØekeâeMe, DebOekeâej keâes otj keâjlee nw Deewj

meye keâes ØekeâeMe oslee nw ~ Fme efueÙes, Deheves Deehe keâes mebmeej keâe ØekeâeMe ceeveles ngS, DeeDees nce, DevÙe ueesieeW keâes ØekeâeMe Øeoeve keâjW ~ Deye Øeefleef‰le ueesieeW keâes leLee heuueer hegjesefnle keâes meceF& Deewj oerhe ØepJeefuele keâjves kesâ efueS Deecebef$ele keâerefpeÙes Deewj oerheeW keâes Yeejle kesâ vekeäMes kesâ efkeâveejs hej mepeeFÙes ~

hee" Deye nce Deheves osMe kesâ cegKÙe OeceeX kesâ heefJe$e «evLeeW mes hee" megveWies Deewj Deheves efJeefYevve OeceeX kesâ DeeÙeeYeeW keâes mecePeWies ~

keâLee Gheefve<eo (1.iii.14 ) ceW keâne ieÙee nw

‘‘GefÛele Deewj megKeo oesveeW ner ceveg<Ùe kesâ ceve ceW ØeJesMe keâjles nQ ~ yegefæceeve, megKeo kesâ yeoues GefÛele keâes Ûegvelee nw ~ mejue mJeYeeJeJeeuee, meebmeeefjkeâ megKe kesâ efueS, megKeo keâes Ûegvelee nw’’


”There is a light that shines beyond all things on

earth, beyond the highest, the very highest

heavens. This is the light that shines in your

heart.”

”It is indeed the mind that is the cause of men’s

bondage and liberation. The mind that is

attached to sense-objects leads to bondage, while

dissociated from sense-objects it tends to lead to

liberation.”

”Still your mind in me, still yourself in

me, and without a doubt you shall be united with

me, Lord of Love, dwelling in our heart.”

Silent reflection:

The Noble QURAN Surah xxxix, 6-8

He creates you in the wombs of your

mothers, creation after creation in

three veils of darkness, such is

Allah your Lord. His is the

kingdom, La ilahaillaHuwa (none

has the right to be worshipped but

He). How then are you turned

away?

If you disbelieve, then verily, Allah

is not in need of you, He likes not

disbelief for His slaves. And if you

are grateful by being believers, he

is pleased therewith for you. No bearer of

burdens shall bear the burden of another. Then

to your Lord is your return, so He will inform

you what you used to do. Verily, He is the

All-Knower of that which is in men’s breasts.

Surah Az-Zumar - (The Groups) Verses 6-7

Silent reflection

From the Great Quotes of the BUDDHA :

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single

candle, and the life of the candle will not be

shortened. Happiness never decreases by being

shared.”

Silent reflection

‘‘Skeâ Ssmee ØekeâeMe Yeer nw pees he=LJeer keâer nj Jemleg kesâ hejs ØekeâeefMele neslee nw, GÛÛelece kesâ hejs, GÛÛelece hejueeskeâ kesâ hejs Ûecekeâlee nw ~ Ùener ØekeâeMe legcnejs ùoÙe ceW Ûecekeâlee nw ~’’

‘‘JeemleJe ceW, ceveg<Ùe keâer oemlee Deewj cegefkeäle keâe keâejCe Gmekeâe ceve ner nw ~ pees ceve, FbefõÙe, megKe keâer ÛeerpeeW mes pegÌ[e jnlee nw, Jen oemlee keâer Deesj ues peelee nw ~ FbefõÙe megKe keâer ÛeerpeeW mes he=Lekeâ jnvesJeeuee ceve, cegefkeäle keâer Deesj ues peelee nw’’

‘‘Dehevee ceve cegPe ceW efmLej jKees, Deheves keâes cegPe ceW efmLej jKees, lees yesMekeâ legce, cegPeceW mebÙegkeäle jnesies Deewj ceQ Øesce keâe ØeYeg legcnejs efoue ceW efveJeeme keâjsiee ~’’

ceewve ceveve :

kegâjeve MejerHeâ megjn 39 DeeÙeleW 6-7Jener legcnejer ceeBDeeW kesâ hesšeW ceW, leerve

DebOesefjÙeeW kesâ yeerÛe, legcnW Skeâ kesâ yeeo Skeâ me=peve ®he oslee Ûeuee peelee nw ~ Ùener Deuueen legcneje ‘jye’ nw ~ jepÙe Gmeer keâe nw ~ Gmekesâ efmeJee keâesF& ‘‘Fueen’’ (hetpÙe) veneR~ efHeâj legce keâneB mes efHeâjs peeles nes ~

Ùeefo legce ‘‘kegâøeâ’’ keâjesies, lees Deuueen legce mes yeshejJeen nw, Deewj Jen Deheves yevoeW kesâ efueÙes ‘kegâøeâ’ keâes hemevo veneR keâjlee Deewj

Ùeefo legce ke=âle%elee efoKeeDees lees Gmes Jen legcnejs efueÙes hemebo keâjlee nw Deewj keâesF& yeesPe G"evesJeeuee efkeâmeer otmejs keâe yeesPe ve G"eSiee ~ efHeâj legcnW Deheves ‘‘jye’’ keâer Deesj ‘‘heuešvee nw’’ lees Jen legcnW yelee osiee pees kegâÚ legce keâjles Les ~ efvemmevosn Jen meerveeW keâer yeele peeveves Jeeuee (DevlejÙeeceer) nw ~ (- metjn Depe-pegcej DeeÙeleW 6-7)

ceewve - ceveve

yegOo kesâ ceneve GOojCeeW ces mes - Skeâ ceesceyeefòeÙeeB ØepJeefuele keâer pee mekeâleer nQ Deewj ceesceyelleer keâe peerJeve Úesše veneR nesiee ~ KegMeer keâer meePesoejer mes KegMeer keâce veneR nesleer ~’’

ceewve ceveve


Leader :

All this points to the abundant nature of reality.

The abundance mentality says there is enough

for everyone, we only have to realize and live by

it. It is the opposite of a scarcity mentality, where

you have the belief that you always have to fight

for your part in a limited world.

GOSPEL OF JOHN 16:32-33

Behold, the hour is coming, and it has already

come, for you to be scattered, each to his own

home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not

alone, because the Father is with Me. These

things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you

may have peace. In the world you have

tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome

the world.

Silent reflection

INTERCESSIONS

Leader :

To the Almighty, we bring before

you all our hearts desires, with

your merciful heart listen to our

prayers.

Resp.: God Almighty, bless us and

our country.

1) We pray for our country that we may work

for peace and harmony. R/-

2) We pray for our political leaders that they

may work sincerely and faithfully for the

betterment of the country. R/-

3) We pray for the sick and suffering

humanity that they may experience peace

and a healing touch. R/-

4) We pray for all the leaders of different

religions that they may bring unity and

solidarity among all religions. R/

5) We pray for all the freedom fighters of our

country that they laid down their lives for

our freedom. R/-

DeiegDee : Ùen, JeemleefJekeâlee kesâ ØeÛegj mJeYeeJe keâer Deesj mebkesâle keâjlee nw ~ ØeÛetj ceveesJe=efòe yeleeleer nw keâer meye kesâ efueS mebmeej ceW keâeHeâer nw, nceW lees Fme melÙe keâes mecePevee Deewj Gmekesâ Devegmeej peervee nw ~ Ùen vÙetvelee keâer ceveesJe=efòe kesâ efJehejerle nw, peneB Ùen efJeÕeeme efkeâÙee peelee nw efkeâ, Fme meerefcele mebmeej ceW legcnW Deheves efnmmes kesâ efueS ueÌ[vee neslee nw ~

megmetceeÛeej keâe hee" - Ùeesnle 16:32-33osKees! Jen IeÌ[er Dee jner nw, Dee ner ieÙeer nw, peye legce meye eflelej-efyelej nes peeDeesies Deewj Dehevee Dehevee jemlee ueskeâj cegPes Dekesâuee ÚesÌ[ oesies ~ efHeâj Yeer cew Dekesâuee vener nBt keäÙeeWefkeâ efhelee cesjs meeLe nw ~ cewves legce ueesieeW mes .Ùen meye FmeefueÙes keâne nw efkeâ legce cegPeceW Meebefle Øeehle keâj mekeâes ~ mebmeej ceW legcnW keäuesMe menvee heÌ[siee, hejvleg {e{me jKees-ceQves mebmeej hej efJepeÙe heeF&

nw ~’’ceewve ceveve

efveJesoveDeiegDee : ns meJe&Meefkeäleceeve ! nce Deheves efoueeW keâer FÛÚeSB lesjs meccegKe jKeles nQ ~ Deheves oÙeeceÙe ùoÙe mes nceejer ØeeLe&veeSB megve ues ~

peyeeye : ns meJe&Meefkeäleceeve F&MJej! nceW Deewj nceejs osMe keâes DeeMeerJee&o Øeoeve

keâj ~

1 nce Deheves osMe kesâ efueÙes ØeeLe&vee keâjles nQ efkeâ nce meye Meebefle leLee cesue efceueehe kesâ efueS keâece keâjW. peJeeye

2 nce Deheves jepeveweflekeâ vesleeDeeW kesâ efueÙes ØeeLe&vee keâjles nQ efkeâ Jes osMe keâer Gvveefle kesâ efueÙes meÛÛeeF& Deewj F&ceeveoejer mes keâece keâjW ~ peJeeye

3 nce yeerceej Deewj ogKeer ueesieeW kesâ efueÙes ØeeLe&vee keâjles nw efkeâ GvnW Meebefle efceues Deewj Jes mJemLe nes peeSB peJeeye

4 nce efJeefYeVe OeceeX kesâ vesleeDeeW kesâ efueÙes ØeeLe&vee keâjles nQ efkeâ Jes meye OeceeX kesâ yeerÛe Skeâlee Deewj YeeF&Ûeejs keâe ØeÛeej keâjW ~ ......... peJeeye


6) We pray for all of us gathered here that we

may work with one mind and heart and

respect each other as our brothers and

sisters. R/-

7) We pray for showers of rain in the country

so that our people do not go hungry. R/-

Leader :

Almighty God of all humanity we know that you

will listen to the prayers your children make.

Bless each and every person in this country.

Hymn: A suitable Bhajjan

Concluding prayer:

Let us conclude our prayer by praying the words of

Rabindranath Tagore f rom the Gitanja l i

No. 35.

“Where the mind is without fear

and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been

broken up into fragments by

narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from

the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches

its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason

has not lost its way into the dreary

desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is lead forward by thee

into ever-widening thought and action-

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father,

let my country awake.”

Hymn: Any suitable hymn or bhajan.

At the end of the Prayer session, we can all wish

each other good wishes for Independence Day.

Sr. Alice Serrao

5 nce Deheves osMe kesâ mJeleb$elee-mesveeefveÙeeW kesâ efueÙes ØeeLe&vee keâjles nw, efpevneWves nceejer Deepeeoer kesâ efueS Deheves ØeeCe efveÚeJej keâj efoÙes ~

6 ÙeneB GheefmLele meye ueesieeW kesâ efueÙes, nce ØeeLe&vee keâjles nQ, efkeâ Skeâ otmejs keâes Dehevee YeeF& Deewj yenve, ceevekeâj Skeâ ceve Deewj ùoÙe meye keâe Deeoj keâjW ~ peJeeye

7 nce osMe cesb Je<ee& kesâ efueÙes ØeeLe&vee keâjles nQ leeefkeâ osMe ceW ueesie YetKe mes heerefÌ[le ve neW ~ peJeeye

DeiegDeens meejer ceeveJelee kesâ meJe& Meefkeäleceeve F&MJej ! nces efJeMJeeme nw efkeâ let Deheves yeÛÛeeW keâer ØeeLe&vee DeJeMÙe megvesiee~ osMe kesâ nj Skeâ JÙeefkeäle keâes Dehevee DeeMeerJee&o Øeoeve keâj ~

Yepeve : keâesF& GheÙegkeäle Yepeve

Deefvlece ØeeLe&vee : DeeDees Fme ØeeLe&vee meYee keâe Devle nce jefyevõveeLe šsieewj keâer ieerleebpeueer kesâ 35JeW ieerle mes MeyoeW mes keâjWies ~

peneB ceve ceW efkeâmeer keâe [j venerpeneB ieJe& kesâ efmej TBÛee nes,peneB %eeve mJeÛÚvo nes,peneB, mebmeej Deevleefjkeâ efJeYeepekeâ oerJeejeW mesšgkeâ[eW ceW ve yeBše nes,

peneB DeLekeâ ØeÙeeme keâer yeenW hetCe&lee keâer Deesj Hewâueer nes,peneB leke&â keâer MeÏæ meefjlee ves, efJeHeâue Deeolees keWâveerjme jsleerues jsefiemleeve ceW Dehevee ceeie& ve KeesÙee nes ~peneB ceve lesjs Éeje TBÛes efJeÛeejeW leLee keâeÙeeX keâer Deesj ceeie&oMe&ve heelee nQ, ns efhelee Gme mJeleb$elee kesâ mJeie& ceW cesje osMe peeies ~’

Yepeve - keâesF& GheÙegkeäle Yepeve

ØeeLe&vee keâer yew"keâ kesâ yeeo, nce Skeâ otmejs keâes mJeleb$elee efoJeme keâer MegYekeâeceveeSB os mekeâles nQ~

DevegJeeokeâ : heer. Skeäme. mJeeceer

peJeeye


Under the joint patronage of HRH Prince El

Hassan bin Talal and His Eminence Cardinal

Jean-Louis Tauran, the Royal Institute for

Inter-Faith Studies (Amman, Jordan) and

the Pontifical Council for Interreligious

Dialogue (Vatican City) held their Third

Colloquium in Amman from 13 to 14 May

2014, on the theme “Meeting Current

Challenges through Education”. The

meeting began with moments of silent

prayer, invoking God’s help and blessing.

The participants strongly condemned all

forms of violence, and most recently the

kidnapping of the Nigerian school girls and

called for their immediate release, so that

they can return to their families and their

schools. They also advocated peaceful

resolutions to all ongoing conflicts.

The discussion, which took place in an

atmosphere of cordiality and friendship,

allowed the participants to agree on the

following:- The fundamental institutions for

the education of children and youth are the

family and the school; - The importance of

proper religious education, in particular for

the transmission of religious and moral

values;- The necessary consideration of the

dignity of the human person, especially in

educational institutions; - the disregard of

the international provisions aimed at

guaranteeing the effective respect of

fundamental human rights, in particular

religious freedom;- The most urgent

challenges to meet include the peaceful

resolution of current conflicts, the

eradication of poverty and the promotion of

the spiritual and moral dimension of life;

- The conviction that religion is not the cause

of conflicts, but rather inhumanity and

ignorance; consequently integral education

is essential;-

Finally, as the future of humanity is in the

hands of the young generations, we propose

the following Cultural Decalogue for

everyone involved in education:

1) Never renounce intellectual curiosity;

2) Have intellectual courage instead of

intellectual cowardice;

3) Be humble and intellectually arrogant;

4) Practice intellectual empathy instead

of a closed mindedness;

5) Observe intellectual integrity;

6) Keep your intellectual autonomy;

7) Persevere in the face of surrounding

superficiality;

8) Trust reason;

9) Be fair-minded and not intellectually

unfair;

10) Consider pluralism as richness, not a

threat. God willing, we will continue

our fruitful dialogue through future

colloquia and other initiatives.

Vatican News Service

INTER - FAITH EVENTS

INTER-RELIGIOUS MEET IN AMMAN


Pope Francis waded head-first into Mideast

peace-making 8th June 2014, welcoming the

Israeli and Palestinian presidents to the

Vatican for an evening of peace prayers just

weeks after the last round of U.S.-sponsored

negotiations collapsed.

Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian

President Mahmoud Abbas embraced in the

foyer of the Vatican hotel where Francis lives,

joked together and shared a minibus with

Francis and the spiritual leader of the world’s

Orthodox Christians for the quick trip across

the Vatican to the garden ceremony.

There on the lawn, Francis sat between the two

presidents, with the Israeli and Palestinian

delegations and Vatican cardinals flanking

them, as a string ensemble played.

It is taking place in the

lush Vatican gardens

in the shadow of St.

Peter ’s Basilica, the

m o s t r e l i g i o u s l y

neutral place in the

tiny city-state, and will

incorporate Jewish,

Christian and Muslim

prayers, delivered in Hebrew, English, Arabic

and Italian.

Francis, Peres and Abbas planted an olive tree

together in a sign of peace. Also on hand is the

spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox

Christians, to give a united Christian front.

The following are the English texts of prayers

for peace that representatives of the Jewish,

Christian and Muslim communities recited at

the start of the encounter of prayer in the

Vatican Gardens on Sunday evening, 8 June.

POPE FRANCIS INITIATES PRAYER FOR PEACE

Christian community

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is discord, harmony;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying

that we are born to eternal

life,

Almighty God and Father,

gathered here together we

ask You to make us

instruments of Your peace,

seeking justice, agents of

pardon and builders of

reconciliation.

Open our hearts to be filled with Your spirit,

open our eyes to see Your image in everyone we

meet,

open our hands to join with those of our brother

and sisters to build together a world in which

all can live in peace.

Pour down your blessing on the Holy Land, so

that from there this peace can spread to the

ends of the earth, in the name of Christ our

Lord.

Amen.


Jewish community

Lord of Peace,

Divine Ruler, to whom peace belongs!

Maker of Peace,

Creator of all things!

May it be Your will to put an end to war

and bloodshed in the world,

and to spread a great and wonderful peace over

the whole world, so that nation shall not lift up

sword against nation, neither shall they learn

war anymore. Help us and save us all. Let us

merit to cling tightly to the virtue of’ peace.

Let there be a truly great peace between every

person and his fellow, and between husband

and wife, and let there be no division among

people not even in the heart.

Let every person love peace and pursue peace

Always in truth and integrity

Let us never cling to division

Not even when it comes to those who do not

agree with us.

Let us never shame any person on earth, great

or small

And may we merit to truly keep the

commandment to “Iove” your neighbour as

yourself”, with an entire heart, body, soul and

possessions.

And let what is written be fulfilled in us:

“I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie

down, and no one shall make you afraid;

I will remove dangerous animals from the land,

and no sword shall go through your land”.

God who is peace, bless us with peace!

Gran t peace, goodness, blessing, grace, loving,

kindness, and mercy; on us and al I you I’

people Israel and on the world, Bless us all as

one by the light of Your countenance our

Father. For by the light of Your countenance,

You have given us O Lord our God, a Torah of

Life, loving kindness, andrighteousness and

blessing and mercy and life and peace. May it

he Your will to bless us all with Your Peace.

Muslim community

Praise to God, merciful, compassionate, king,

holy, peace, faith, sovereign, precious, mighty,

proud, creator, maker, former.

O God, You are peace, and peace is from You, and

to You peace returns, You are blessed and You are

glorified, O Master of splendour and honour,

inspire us, O Lord, with peace and reveal to us

peace and make us dwellers in the realm of peace,

among those who do not live in fear or sorrow; O

God, we seek refuge in You from injustice and

Oppression, from illegitimate aggression, and we

ask You, our Lord, to make us rightly guided, not

going Astray nor leading astray, believing in You

and trusting in You, guide us, O Lord to the most

preferred of words, guide us, O Lord, to the most

perfect of acts, guide us, O Lord, to the best of

morals, for no one can guide to this except You,

and You are able to do all things.

O God, make us, O Lord, keys to all that is good,

locks to all that is evil, we ask of You what is good

and proper, that You provide us with safety,

peace, security and faith, for us and for our

peoples, our families, our fathers and mothers,

our sons and daughters, and for all humanity and

all nations, and all creatures in Your great

creation, give us, O Lord, in this world good, and

in the hereafter good, and protect us from the

torment of the fire. O God, bring about peace in

the land of peace, O Master of splendour and

honour, and remove injustice against the

oppressed in this land, feed its people who

hunger, and secure them against fear, and keep

them from evil and evil doers, from unjust

aggressors, O Lord of the Worlds.


thOn Easter Sunday, 20 April 2014 from 4.30 – 6

p.m., The Sisters of Mt Mary Convent, Bandra

and Anaam Prem, had an Inter-Religious

Celebration in Mt. Mary Convent Hall, to

celebrate Easter with Sweepers and all those

who keep our environment clean as special

guests.

Before we began our program, we were

welcome with a red rose – a symbol of love.

Sr. Elizabeth FHIC, introduced us to the

program, highlighting the importance of

Easter, the light of the Risen Jesus, and the need

to share it with each and everyone.

The Samai was lit by Fr. Aniceto Pereira,

members of Anaam Prem, Sisters of Mount

Mary Convent and Sr. Mary DePenha, MSCJ.

This was followed by bhajans led by two small

children of the Anaam Prem family. A prayer

service conducted by Sr. Elizabeth in Hindi

conveyed a very beautiful message, to show us

how Christ rose from the dead to save us from

our sins. Though many a times we lead our

lives in darkness, he has shown us the light by

dying on the Cross. The sweepers and those

who brighten our lives by cleaning our city and

IRD CELEBRATION OF EASTER AT MOUNT MARY

the environment, making it healthy and

hygienic to live in, were gratefully thanked for

their presence in our city. In this prayer

service, the importance of light was explained

through scriptures passages of different

religions, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and

Buddhism.

The Anaam Prem Group also had a special

prayer for these sweepers and cleaners of the

environment. The bhajans were sung by

Anaam Prem members.

Fr. Aniceto Pereira gave us a short review of

Easter and thanked the Anaam Prem group for

setting an example of unconditional love to

each and everyone in society, a humanitarian.

The Hymn “Christ the Light” led by the choir

girls of Mt Mary Convent, was followed by the

distribution of snacks, and closing of the

programme.

Marie D’Souza


PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR AN IRD CELLPope St. John Paul II, in his Encyclical 'Redemptoris Missio' (The Missionary Mandate of the Church)

1990, No. 57, highlights four forms of Interreligious Dialogue. These are the dialogue of life, the dialogue of

prayer, the dialogue of theological exchange and the dialogue of social involvement. Based on this vision we

can spell out a tentative agenda for Parish or School Inter-Religious Dialogue Cells in the form of a

Calendar of Activities. If the Cell operates in a school, the calendar needs to be appropriately modified.

— Fr. Aniceto Pereira

Months Dialogue of Life Dialogue of Prayer Dialogue of Social Dial. of Theological Involvement Exchange

JULY Cell Members makea courtesy call on the monsoon delivered to BIRD Courseleaderships of the the different religious (Basics of InterReligious Places of leaders for distribution. Religious Dialogue)worship within the Parish,or in the school vicinity.

AUG. Celebration of Independence Day Raksha Bandhan in the Inter-Religious Parish/School to Prayer for the Countryassimilate the custom. in SCCs/School

SEPT. Children in SCCs/School Gathering of NGOs to could participate in celebrate Blessedcultural competitions Mother Teresa’sat the Ganesh Pandals Birthday

OCT. Papal Message on theoccasion of Id is printedon cards and personallydelivered to Muslims.

NOV. Mass of Christ the Light in the Parish to pray specially for the Hindumajority in our country.

DEC. Christmas Inter-Religious Networking with Prayer Gathering Leaders of other In the Parish/School and religious communities at the Diocesan Level for distribution of gifts

JAN. Inter-Religious Prayer for the Country in SCCs/School on Republic Day

FEB. Greeting the Sikh Community on Baisakhi

MAR. Rally of Solidarity withWomen of different faiths for InternationalWomen’s Day

APR. Inter-Religious Easter Gathering in liaison with Anam Prem Group

Gifts for the poor for the Signing up for the

Encouraging

participation at

various Inter-

Religious Dialogue

Conferences

organized on

various occasions

in the city.

A One - YearRUDIMENTARY COURSEinINTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUEfor Catholic Adults

Meant specially for :ll Animators of Small Human

Communitiesll Parish IRD Cell

Membersll Teachers of Value Education

in SchoolsCOURSE OBJECTIVESTo enable Catholic Adults wishing to engage in IRD activities:lTo understand the spiritualities of various religions.

lTo grasp the principles of inter-religious harmony.

lTo explore the four levels of IRD: that of theological exchange, of cooperation in development, the level of sharing of spiritual experiences, and the dialogue of life.

lTo strategize in order to establish Small Human Communities.

lTo organize Inter-faith gatherings on select occasions.

COURSE CONTENTTheology:lHistory and theology of the Church’s approach to other religious traditions,

proclamation of the Good News, Inculturation, etc.

Religions:lThe Creed, Code and Cult of India’s major religions like Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism,

Sikhism, Jainism, etc. including field trips to various shrines.

2014 - 2015

Organised by:

THE BOMBAY ARCHDIOCESAN COMMISSION FOR INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

C/o. Gyan Ashram, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri, Mumbai - 400 093 Tel.: 2836 8038, 2832 5046

Admissions open in JuLY 2014

april - june - archbomird.org fileeducation, sanitation and skill development. r here is an...

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