Inter-religious Dialogue to Focus on Environmental Protection

Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 14: Pursuant to the successful Mira-Bhayander Christmas Carol Carnival on December 18, 19 and 20, 2010, the effervescent and dynamic St Joseph Church at Mira Road will conduct an inter-religious dialogue, on Sunday, January 16 at 6.30 pm at St Joseph Church Grounds.

Dr William D’Souza, the Archbishop of Patna shall preside over the event and speakers from across the religious spectrum, viz, Fr Mario  Mendes, a notable professor from St Pius X College, Goregaon alongwith Sadguru Shastri Swami Chandra Prakash Dasji, founder president of Harikrishna Samaj Samstha; Maulana Riaz Ahmad Qadri, imam of Madina Masjid, Worli; Lt CDr Harcharan Singh (retd) shall be the august speakers of this annually held inter-religious meet.

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The meet also coincides with the eagerly awaited feast celebration of Infant Jesus, filled with the devotional fervour of myriad devotees, who throng the Church Grounds in huge numbers, year after year, ever since the Carmelite fathers promulgated this devotion to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague in the Mira Road parish, a few years ago.

The underlying theme for meet shall be 'Care for Creation - Protect Nature and Preserve Life.'

A brief synopsis 

There is an intimate relationship between protection of nature and preservation of life. This is evident from the ecological changes affecting the lives of millions of people all over the world. The deforestation (diminishing green zones), extinction of some creatures, reduction of bio-diversity and climate change (global warming) cause end of some natural resources and the rise of the water-level in the sea and it threatens to immerse many small islands in the sea. Too much mechanization and over-exploitation of nature results in pollution of the environment and this in turn affects human life. The temperature level of the earth is alarmingly increasing. This will affect the very preservation of life itself. We know very well that water is the source of life. Today, thousands and millions of people have no access to safe drinking water due to water pollution caused by the over-exploitation of nature. 

Human interaction with nature must follow certain ethics of life. Modern day economic crisis is directly linked to unethical exploitation of nature. As human beings we have a responsibility towards the future generation. If we exploit nature, nature shall retaliate vengefully. Hence, we need an ethical code in our relationship with nature.

Earth, with all its creatures, is in a crisis of colossal proportions. And responding to this crisis will require every possible resource at our disposal of our diverse human communities, cutting across all ethnic, creed, caste and colour lines. For our present and future generations, we should ensure clean air, clean water and a safe earth.

All religions speak of the sacredness of nature. The religions primarily give four values in relation to nature. (a) We have to respect nature and all creatures. (b) We have to take care of nature and all beings. (c) Violence to nature and creatures is violence against God Himself since it is His creation (d) We must develop the God-given nature and help to sustain creatures’ life especially the human life. Hence, it is time that all religions work together to protect nature and preserve life.

Having this in mind, the inter-religious meet invites leaders from different religions to bring forth their religious treasures from their Sacred Scriptures to highlight the need to “Protect Nature and thereby Preserve Life”.   

How inter–religious dialogue is connected with care for creation

All the religions agree and the scriptures show that the universe has been the creation of God. God created the world, animals, plants, sea, nature, etc, beautifully. The creation has been the reflection of God himself. The Bible says “The heavens proclaim the glory of God and the firmament shows forth the works of his hands”. Finally, man also has been created in God’s own image and likeness. God dwells in the heart of every man.

But today man because of his selfish interests has polluted and thus contributed in disfiguring the universe, God’s creation. So man has to take proactive steps to bring the universe to its original state through which the life of every child, every man and woman can be safeguarded, promoted and perfected.

All religious leaders, casting aside their innate differences, should come together and if they give the above call to the adherents of their respective religions and denominations, through the inter-religious dialogue, a better universe can be created and man’s life can be duly protected and promoted in a positive manner, befitting his stature as the custodian of God’s creation.

T3 Urban Developers and Aldel Education Trust are the sponsors of the event.