“Christians and Hindus: Together to foster a culture of 'inclusion'” is the theme of the message by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to Hindus for the feast of Deepavali, which will be celebrated on 23 October.

“It is true that globalization has opened many new frontiers and provided fresh opportunities to develop” reads the message, which is signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council, and by Secretary, Fr Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot. However “that globalization has not achieved its primary objective of integrating local peoples into the global community”.

“Nurturing a culture of inclusion thus becomes a common call and a shared responsibility, which must be urgently undertaken. It is a project involving those who care for the health and survival of the human family here on earth and which needs to be carried out amidst, and in spite of, the forces that perpetuate the culture of exclusion.”

The complete text of the message