Agence Fides
VATICAN
Message du Conseil Pontifical pour le Dialogue Inter-religieux, adressé
aux bouddhistes à l’occasion de la Fête de Vesakh : «
Là où bouddhistes et catholiques vivent en contact étroit,
ils profiteront de ce moment pour consolider les bonnes relations déjà
existantes »
Rome (Agence Fides) - l’Archevêque Mgr Michael Louis Fitzgerald,
Président du Conseil Pontifical pour le dialogue Inter-religieux, a
adressé aux bouddhistes, comme c’est l’habitude à
l’occasion de la Fête de Vesakh, un Message dans lequel il exprime
ses vœux chaleureux : « Puisse cette fête apporter la joie
à chacun d’entre vous, à vos familles et à vos communautés.
Je suis certains que là où bouddhistes et catholiques vivent
en contact étroit, ils profiteront de ce moment pour consolider les
bonnes relations déjà existantes ».
L’Eglise Catholique rappelle cette année le 40° anniversaire
de la Déclaration « Nostra Aetate » du Concile Vatican
II sur les rapports entre l’Eglise Catholique et les autres religions.
Ce document « mentionne le bouddhisme, avec d’autres religions,
et déclare que l’Eglise Catholique ne rejette rien de ce qui est
vrai et saint dans ces religions’. Ainsi, les bouddhistes et les catholiques
ont pu se rencontrer, dans un esprit d’ouverture, de sincérité
et de respect réciproque, en s’engageant dans le dialogue, de
différentes manières ».
Le Message continue en indiquant que dans les Pays où les bouddhistes
et les chrétiens vivent et travaillent côte à côte
» le dialogue de vie qui en découle leur permet, tandis qu’ils
rendent témoignage de la religion à laquelle ils appartiennent,
d’approfondir la connaissance mutuelle, de créer de bons rapports
et de promouvoir un esprit de proximité ». En particulier, il
cite le lien particulier créé entre un certain nombre de moines
et de sœurs bouddhistes et catholiques, qui ont été les
hôtes les uns des autres dans leurs monastères et couvents respectifs,
et que plusieurs communautés ont ressenti la nécessité
de collaborer dans le domaine social et pour la cause de la paix.
Face à la tragédie du tremblement de terre et du raz-de-marée
qui ont touché l’Asie le 26 septembre dernier, « les bouddhistes
et les chrétiens ont travaillé ensemble côte à
côte pour aider les sinistrés ; les organisations religieuses
ont coopéré pour apporter des aides immédiates et pour
voir quels étaient les besoins pour l’avenir. Mais les temps pour
la reconstruction seront longs ; et cela montre que les expressions de solidarité
inter-religieuse doivent se poursuivre ». Le Message rappelle en outre
qu’il y a « beaucoup d’autres situations qui nécessitent
la coopération entre toutes les personnes de bonne volonté »
; il se termine par l’assurance donnée à toutes les familles
qui ont perdu de leurs membres, qu’ils « seront rappelés
dans nos prières ». (S.L.)
(Agence Fides, 17 mai 2005, 36 lignes, 466 mots)
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In
English
VATICAN
Catholic Church’s Message to the Buddhists of the world on occasion of
the Feast of Vesakh 2005: “where Buddhists and Catholics live together
may they use the moment to consolidate the good relations which already exist
between them”
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, President
of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, on the occasion of
the Feast of Vesakh 2005, has sent on behalf of the Catholic Church the traditional
Message of good wishes to the Buddhists of the world: “May this feast
bring joy to you as individuals, as families and as communities. I am certain
that in many places where Buddhists and Catholics live together they will
use the moment to consolidate the good relations which already exist between
them.”
This year the Catholic Church celebrates the Fortieth Anniversary of the Second
Vatican Council's Declaration on the relationship of the Church to other religions,
Nostra Aetate, “Mentioning Buddhism and many other religions, it states
that “the Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in
these religions” (NA 2). Accordingly, Buddhists and Catholics are able
to meet together, in a spirit of openness, sincerity and mutual respect, engaging
in many different forms of dialogue”.
In countries where Buddhists and Christians live and work side by side, “the
resulting ‘dialogue of life’ allows them, while witnessing to their
own beliefs, to deepen their understanding of one another, to foster goodwill
and to promote a spirit of neighbourliness. In fact, a particular bond has
developed between many Buddhist and Catholic monks and nuns. They have welcomed
one another into their respective monasteries and convents joining together
in silence, meditation and reflection. Some communities have been able to
cooperate in the social field and, in a world marked by violence, are working
together in the cause of peace” said the president of the Pontifical
Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.
The Archbishop recalled that the terrible December 26 tsunami disaster “elicited an outpouring of prayers, expressions of compassion and acts of generosity on a scale the world has rarely witnessed “Buddhists and Christians have worked together hand in hand to help the victims; religious organisations have co-operated by bringing immediate relief and assessing future needs. The long-term requirements of reconstruction call, however, for a continuation of these inter-religious expressions of solidarity.” He underlined that there are “many other situations which require co-operation among people of good will” and concluded by assuring families whose dear were lost tragedy will not be forgotten “they will be remembered in our prayers”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/5/2005 - Righe 27; Parole 372)
L'Arcivescovo Michael Louis Fitzgerald, Presidente del Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Interreligioso, in occasione della Festa di Vesakh 2005, ha inviato ai buddisti il seguente Messaggio:
Dear Buddhist Friends,
1. Once again the time of Vesakh comes, and on this occasion I wish to convey
to you my heartfelt greetings. May this feast bring joy to you as individuals,
as families and as communities. I am certain that in many places where Buddhists
and Catholics live together they will use the moment to consolidate the good
relations which already exist between them.
2. This year the Catholic Church celebrates the Fortieth Anniversary of the
Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the relationship of the Church to
other religions, Nostra Aetate. This document can in some ways be considered
as the “Magna Carta” which guides Catholics in their relations with
people of other traditions. Mentioning Buddhism and many other religions,
it states that “the Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and
holy in these religions” (NA 2). Accordingly, Buddhists and Catholics
are able to meet together, in a spirit of openness, sincerity and mutual respect,
engaging in many different forms of dialogue.
3. In countries where Buddhists and Christians live and work side by side,
the resulting “dialogue of life” allows them, while witnessing to
their own beliefs, to deepen their understanding of one another, to foster
goodwill and to promote a spirit of neighbourliness. In fact, a particular
bond has developed between many Buddhist and Catholic monks and nuns. They
have welcomed one another into their respective monasteries and convents joining
together in silence, meditation and reflection. Some communities have been
able to cooperate in the social field and, in a world marked by violence,
are working together in the cause of peace.
4. Nowhere has the need for collaboration been felt more keenly than in the
countries of South and Southeast Asia which were affected by the earthquake
and the ensuing tsunami of 26 December 2004. This disaster elicited an outpouring
of prayers, expressions of compassion and acts of generosity on a scale the
world has rarely witnessed. Buddhists and Christians have worked together
hand in hand to help the victims; religious organisations have cooperated
by bringing immediate relief and assessing future needs. The long-term requirements
of reconstruction call, however, for a continuation of these interreligious
expressions of solidarity. There are also many other situations which require
cooperation among people of good will so that solutions can be found which
conform to human dignity and which respect human rights.
5. This year's feast of Vesakh will find many families missing some of their
members. I wish to assure them that their loved ones will not be forgotten
but will be remembered in our prayers. The dialogue which Nostra Aetate has
helped to promote encourages us to share with one another in times of joy
and sorrow. It is in this spirit that I again wish all of you a blessed feast.
Archbishop MICHAEL L. FITZGERALD
President
