MESSAGE OF THE PONTIFICAL
COUNCIL
FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
TO THE HINDUS ON THE FEAST OF DEEPAVALI 2009
"Hindus
and Christians:
Committed to Integral Human Development"
Dear Hindu Friends,
1. It is my joy to greet you
all, once again, in the name of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue: A HAPPY DEEPAVALl! Religious Festivals enable us to
revitalize our relationship with God and one another. May this Festival of
Lights, while elevating our minds and hearts towards God, the Supreme
Light, strengthen fellowship among us and bless us all with happiness and
peace.
2. Honouring the tradition of
this Pontifical Council to share a thought on matters of common concern, I
would like to propose this year tl1at we rei1ecL on the need to work
together for integral human development.
3. Integral human development
implies the advance towards the true good of every individual, community
and society, in every single dimension of human life: social, economic,
political, intellectual, spiritual and religious. Pope Paul VI described
it as "development of the whole man and of all men" (Populorum
Progressio, 1967, no.42) /'from less human conditions to those which
are more human" (Ibid., no.20). And Pope Benedict XVI wrote
recently that "integral human development presupposes the responsible
freedom of the individual and of peoples" (Car-itas in veri tate,
no. 17).
4. Such authentic human
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.
5. In the process of integral
development, protection of human life and respect for tl1e dignity and
fundamental rights of the person, are a responsibility of every one, both
individually and collectively.
6. Respect for others
therefore implies the recognition of their freedom: freedom of conscience,
thought and religion. When persons feel respected in their primary choice
as religious beings, only tl1en are they able to encounter others and
cooperate for the progress of humanity. This shapes a more peaceful social
order conducive to development.
7. Integral human development
also requires the political will to work towards ensuring greater
protection of human rights and peaceful co-existence. Development, freedom
and peace are inextricably linked together, and they complete one another.
Lasting peace and harmon1OUS relations emerge in an atmosphere of freedom;
so also, inlegra1 human development is accomplished in an environment of
peace.
Let us all, as people of good
will, join together to dispe1 every darkness that hinders,1 true vision of
co-existence, religious harmony and integral development for each and
every person.
May Deepavali be an occasion
to celebrate our friendship and boldly proclaim the victory of good over
evil, light over darkness, and work together to bring about an era of true
freedom 'for all' and integral human development 'of all'.
My best wishes, once again,
for a splendid and joyous Deepavali.
Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran
President
Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata
Secretary
