Hindus and Catholics Meet for Third Time; Apostolic Nuncio to Give Keynote Address

WASHINGTON—ArchbishopChristophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, will deliver akeynote address for the third Hindu-Catholic meeting to be held on Saturday,November 11, 2017 at the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, MD. The theme forthe gathering is "Love of Neighbor in the Catholic and Hindu Traditions:Reflections on Nationalism, War "& Poverty." The meeting is co-sponsoredby the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the UnitedStates Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Thebishops' ecumenical and interreligious committee is in the process ofbuilding stronger relations with the Hindu community in the United States.Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of Springfield, Massachusetts, chair of thecommittee, affirmed that continued opportunities for encounter and reflectionon areas of mutual concern are precious in these socially divisive times.

"Asthe conversation around nationalism, economic inequality, and theproliferation of state-sanctioned violence grows increasingly fraught, drivenby fear and often willful misinformation, the Catholic Church must help tomodel real dialogue and good will," said Bishop Rozanski. "Our hope is toadvance the goals of greater understanding, mutual esteem and collaborationbetween Hindus and Catholics, and continue to grow in true friendship andrespect. I am grateful to Archbishop Pierre for supporting the foundations offruitful dialogue between Hindus and Catholics in the United States."

Dr.Abhaya Asthana, President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), one ofUSCCB's dialogue partners stated, "These dialogues, over the past two years,continue to bring our communities together with a deeper understanding ofeach other's traditions, thoughts and practices. The theme this year is bothmeaningful and pragmatic."

Thedialogue members will continue to meet yearly, as together they strive todeepen their friendship and build a vibrant network of collaboration ontopics of mutual concern.

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Keywords: Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Hindu-Catholic Dialogue, USCCB, USbishops, Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Bishop MitchellT. Rozanski, nationalism, dialogue, Hinduism

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