Vatican message for Diwali emphasize 'religious freedom'

The Vatican picked the theme of 'religious freedom' in its greeting for the occasion of Diwali which falls on October 26 this year.

Religious freedom, the text reads, currently takes "centre stage in many places, calling our attention to those members of our human family exposed to bias, prejudice, hate propaganda, discrimination and persecution on the basis of religious affiliation."

It declared that 'religious freedom' was the answer to religiously motivated conflicts in many parts of the world. "Amid the violence triggered by these conflicts, many desperately yearn for peaceful coexistence and integral human development."

The message was written by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

Entitled 'Christians and Hindus: together in Promoting Religious Freedom', the message for the 'Festival of Lights' stressed on religious freedom which it said allowed "believers to be more enthusiastic about cooperating with their fellow citizens in the building of a just and humane social order".

"But wherever and whenever it is denied, suppressed or violated, the growth of the authentic and lasting peace of the whole human family is stifled and frustrated."

The message continues: "There are many fields in which a specific contribution can be made to the common good, such as the defence of life and the dignity of the family, the sound education of children, honesty in daily conduct, and the preservation of natural resources, to name a few."

It urged to "join hands in promoting religious freedom as our shared responsibility, by asking the leaders of nations never to disregard the religious dimension of the human person."

The message has come a week ahead of a major multi-faith meeting to be hosted by Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican to promote world peace.

The October 27 event will bring over 200 spiritual leaders, including Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.

Pope Benedict XVI is hosting the multi-faith meeting in favour of world peace, which was started by his predecessor Pope John Paul II, the Vatican said in a statement.

Like previous years, Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Rajmohan Gandhi is expected to participate in the event. Some 70 Muslim leaders, including from Iran and Saudi Arabia, will also be present.