Taiwan cardinal to interreligious congress: Mutual respect can overcome tensions
May 09, 2006
Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi said unity and mutual respect among religions can resolve the political tensions in the world today.
(www.ucanews.com, 4/17/2006) TASHU, Taiwan (UCAN) – The cardinal, retired bishop of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was addressing more than 700 religious representatives from 19 countries and regions attending the 32nd world congress of the International Association of Religious Freedom.
"Dignity in Diversity" was the theme of the congress, which was held March 26-30 at Fo Guang Shan (Buddha's light mountain), a center Buddhists run in Tashu, southern Taiwan, 280 kilometers southwest of Taipei.
Cardinal Shan told participants that the dignity of religions is based on the moral consciousness and inner belief of their followers. Although religions differ in many ways in terms of faith, rites and structures, he said, the core values are the same.
The guiding principle for interreligious dialogue is mutual understanding and mutual respect, he pointed out, adding that the people involved have the responsibility to express the faith and belief of their respective religions.
All religions should unite in order to gather strength to conquer evil, to resolve the political tensions prevalent in the world today and to promote fraternal love among all people, the cardinal said.
Besides Cardinal Shan, a priest from Tainan diocese, Kaohsiung's northern neighbor, also represented the local Catholic Church and briefed the congress on the contemporary development of religions in Taiwan.
In another speech, Buddhist Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan International Buddhist Order, identified four points that he said are essential in making peace among religions.
The first calls for relinquishing exclusivity and respecting others to promote tolerance. The second calls for an end to infighting so believers can unite. The third calls for an end to insisting on the primacy of one's view, seeing selflessness as the only path to harmony. The fourth calls for an end to oppositional stances, saying that only compassion finds peace.
The congress began with a prayer service using the religious traditions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Shinto.
Deliberations at the congress revolved around three topics -- religion and family life; religion and civic engagement; religion and peace making.
The congress also included opportunities to experience different forms of worship and practice, group discussions, sharing and cultural performances.
Participants chose Reverend Abhi Janamanchi of the Unitarian Universalist Association in the United States to succeed Ellen Campbell of the Canadian Unitarian Council as president of the association.
Founded in 1900, the International Association of Religious Freedom claims to be the world's oldest interfaith organization. It is a registered charity based in Great Britain with a stated goal of working for freedom of religion and belief at a global level.
It has over 90 affiliated member groups in approximately 25 countries, representing a range of religious traditions including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Shinto and Sikhism. Its last world congress was held in Hungary in 2002.
Taiwan cardinal to interreligious congress: Mutual respect can overcome tensions