PANJIM: On the occasion of the on-going novena 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 Thursday 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, His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão called upon the gathering to pray together for this noble cause and then invoked God’s blessings on everyone present.
The Parra Church choir led by Fr John Fernandes created a contemplative environment with the singing of hymns and bhajans in different Indian languages. The novices of Our Lady of Angels and Holy Family Novitiate Old invoked Divine blessings through a beautifully choreographed prayer dance. Lynessa Linson, the compere for the day, after lucidly explaining the theme and logo, invited Cardinal Ferrão along with other dignitaries to symbolise unity in diversity by pouring water from the same tumbler, into a potted-plant.
Blanche Mascarenhas welcomed the audience comprising mainly of students and teachers of different faiths. Children with special needs from St. Xavier’s Academy performed a dance that was highly appreciated by the audience. Sandesh Prabhudesai, journalist, writer and publisher, representing the Hindu faith, delivered a powerful message highlighting 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 a word ‘Mog’ for love, but there is no original Konkani word for ‘hate’. Hence, he implied that “our ancestors always wanted all Goans to live as one family with love irrespective of our 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. 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 emphasized that the Church teachings invite us to acknowledge, appreciate and promote all that is good in other religions without comprising one’s own faith convictions.
An English skit by the students of St. Michael’s High School, Anjuna and Mime by students of St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, showcased how religious harmony promotes true peace and common well-being in the world.
All the participants 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.
