Cardinal Ivan Dias says that for the Church in India the challenge of
interreligious dialogue is addressed by preaching a faith based on works.
In an interview in the latest issue of CittÃ
Nuova, the archbishop of Bombay discusses the situation of Christianity in
India, evangelization in Asia, and the role of the laity in the new millennium.
Q: In recent years, the Catholic Church in India has been faced with an
unheard-of, violent side of Hinduism. How does she react?
Cardinal Dias: Hinduism has always been open to all values regardless of their
origin. However, small groups of fanatics have never been lacking, who do not
accept this general philosophy.
At present, these Hindu minorities want to do in India what was done in
Pakistan at the time of independence in 1947, hoping to transform India into a
Hindu country. They propose false theories, saying that before Christianity
arrived, all were Hindu. These groups, through violence and other means, are
trying to make their point of view prevail.
We have had to face these groups, especially over the past three years, when a
certain violence was unleashed against Christians. Deep down there is a
particular philosophy that wishes that the whole country would have only one
religion. Their violent behavior goes against the ethos of the Indian people
and against the founding fathers, such as Gandhi [and] Nehru, who wanted to
proclaim a secular state, with equal rights for all religions. And they wished
to protect minorities with special norms: freedom of religion, freedom of
education, freedom of association.
Q: In this context of uncertainty, what is the state of the interreligious
dialogue in India?
Cardinal Dias: There are praiseworthy initiatives both at the episcopal as well
as at the diocesan level. This dialogue is important at the local level,
because that of the episcopal conference is not so much interreligious as it is
with the public power.
In general, it can be said that there is openness on the part of
non-Christians, because the Church is "catholic" in a special way,
and witnesses to universality through its works. Thus, it is not so much a
question of a preached faith, but of faith put into practice with dialogue --
for example, a Mother Teresa who loves, who embraces everyone. She is a
concrete example for Hindus, as are Christians who work with lepers.
This bothers fanatical groups. Two years ago they burnt alive an Australian
Protestant missionary who worked with lepers, on the pretext that he was making
conversions. And they also killed his two children. Despite this, his wife and
daughter continue to live in India and to work. This is witness.
There are two ways of dialoguing: intellectual, according to ideas, and
practical, by working together. When Hindus and Muslims are committed to their
faith, we must not and do not want to conceal our identity: That which
motivates us to do what we do, both in the hospitals as well as in the schools
and in social works, is Christ.
Q: What is the best way to dialogue? And to maintain one's own identity?
Cardinal Dias: To teach what we preach with deeds. For example, the first word
expressed by the wife of the murdered Australian Protestant was of forgiveness.
These are the gestures that show that we are really followers of the Gospel:
"Love your enemies." And also having our school doors open, allowing
access to those who do not have our religious tradition. It is an indirect way
of evangelizing that shows how we are.
Q: Do you think the golden rule -- "Do not do unto others what you would
not like done unto you" -- present in the different religions, is a means to
put into practice?
Cardinal Dias: It is essential, because otherwise there will only be a parallel
dialogue, without a real meeting. But if one follows the golden rule, one meets
the other without confusing things. ... They want to be educated by Christian
teachers even if they don't embrace the position of the others, thus
understanding one another better. This is the secret of peaceful, joyful,
harmonious and loving coexistence.
Q: The Pope has said that the 21st century will be the century of the evangelization
of Asia.
Cardinal Dias: I am more than certain. The difficulties are a good sign. In
Asia, the Church is present in 3% of the population, although 14% of the world
episcopate is in Asia, as is 33% of men and women novices, 25% of women religious,
and 10% of diocesan priests.
The Holy Father's prophecy is already happening. India's episcopal conference
is the fourth in the world. The Church is strong in Vietnam, although it
suffers affliction. It is galloping in South Korea, just as in Indonesia.
Hence, vocations also abound, as in India, which has 23,000 priests and 80,000
women religious. In the future, we are concerned with paying attention to
quality, because it is easy for worldly values to enter our way of being and
deteriorate us.