Symposium on “RELIGIOUS PLURALISM AND THE MISSIONARY MANDATE OF
JESUS” at Darshan Institute of Theology, Capuchin Theologate, Bangalore.
To mark the 800th Anniversary of the meeting of St. Francis of Assisi
and Sultan Al-Malik Al-Kamil, the Capuchins of the Holy Trinity Province
organized a seminar in Bangalore. The seminar was attended by 163
religious both men and women belonging to different congregations. To celebrate this occasion Rev. Dr. Andrew Anil Sequeira, OFM
Cap., resident professor at Darshan Theologate, Bangalore published his
new Book “Religions, Interreligious Dialogue and Evangelization”. This
book specifies the right approach both to inter-religious dialogue and
evangelization.
Religions of the world have been studied and explained analytically
highlighting their variety and diversity, but never their content and
consistency. Religions are consistent in themselves possessing specific
‘symbolic universes’ like animistic, oncologic and personalistic. These
‘symbolic universes’, though distinct, are not contradictory but
complementary. Christianity accordingly stands in need of a new
‘theology of religions’ that is ‘inclusive-pluralist’, the one that can
respect all religions in their essence and manifestation. Only such a
theology of religions would also help Christianity to initiate and carry
on inter-religious dialogue, obey Christ’s mandate of evangelization and
live together with all the religious adherents of the world in peace and
harmony.
The Franciscans ministering in various places in the Archdiocese of
Bengaluru together with Most Rev. Dr Peter Machado, the Archbishop
commemorated the 800th anniversary of the encounter between St Francis
of Assisi and Sultan al-Malik al-Kâmil of Egypt. To mark the event, an
interreligious meet on Dialogue, Peace and Harmony was organized at St
Joseph’s Boys’ High School Auditorium, Bengaluru.
