Taipei Taiwan © Wikimedia Commons User Bcody80

Taiwan: Vatican at the Sixth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium

The Essential Message of Every Religion Is Non-Violence

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share this Entry

The essential message of every religion is non-violence, said Monsignor Indunil Kodithuwakku, Under-Secretary — Number 3 – of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, during the sixth Buddhist-Christian colloquium in Taiwan, held on November 13, 2017.
The works, in the Ling Jou Monastery of Taipei, are inspired in Pope Francis’ message to Buddhists on the occasion of the feast of Vesakh –“Let Us Walk Together on the Path of Non-Violence.” Attending the colloquium were participants from some 20 countries, the majority Asian.
A native of Sri Lanka, the Dicastery’s representative indicated a series of initiatives to promote non-violence through dialogue at all levels. “Violence in the name of religion and the growing phenomenon of religious fundamentalism have sparked a lively debate on the causes of violence and, more particularly, on the role of religion,” he stressed, in his address reported by L’Osservatore Romano.
“If religion doesn’t incite violence directly, how can we address the apparent co-relation between religion and violence?” asked Monsignor Kodithuwakku. And to answer the need “to eliminate poverty, injustice, disparity, exploitation and discrimination,” which are among the main causes of conflicts.
Because today, “dialogue and collaboration between religions isn’t an option” but an obligation, he concluded.
 
JF

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share this Entry

Anne Kurian-Montabone

Laurea in Teologia (2008) alla Facoltà di teologia presso l'Ecole cathedrale di Parigi. Ha lavorato 8 anni per il giornale settimanale francese France Catholique" e participato per 6 mese al giornale "Vocation" del servizio vocazionale delle chiesa di Parigi. Co-autore di un libro sulla preghiera al Sacro Cuore. Dall'ottobre 2011 è Collaboratrice della redazione francese di Zenit."

Support ZENIT

If you liked this article, support ZENIT now with a donation