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VATICAN-HINDUS Oct-16-2009 (270 words) xxxi
Cardinal urges Catholics, Hindus to work together for good of humanity
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As the world's Hindus prepared to celebrate Diwali, the feast of lights, a Vatican official urged Hindus and Catholics to work together to dispel the darkness that keeps them from working together for the good of all humanity.
"Let us all, as people of good will, join together to dispel every darkness that hinders a true vision of coexistence, religious harmony and integral development for each and every person," wrote Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Cardinal Tauran wrote to the world's Hindus in anticipation of their celebration of Diwali, a three-day religious festival that was to begin Oct. 17 in most parts of the world. The festival focuses on the victory of truth over lies, light over darkness, life over death and good over evil.
The cardinal's letter, released by the Vatican Oct. 16, urged Hindus and Christians to work together to promote human development, not just economically and politically, but also spiritually and socially.
"Such authentic development can be achieved only by assuming a shared responsibility for one another and by seriously engaging in collaborative action. This springs from our very nature as human beings and our belonging to one human family," Cardinal Tauran wrote.
True development, the cardinal said, must be based on respect for human life at every stage of its development and on respect for the right of each person to follow his or her religious beliefs.
"When persons feel respected in their primary choice as religious beings, only then are they able to encounter others and cooperate for the progress of humanity," the cardinal said.
END
Copyright (c) 2009 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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