Media Release

Pilar, Nov 4: A follow up seminar on the ‘Basics of Inter-Religious Dialogue’ module 2 was held on 27th August 2024 at Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Pilar Goa. It was jointly organized by the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue and Sadbhav – fora for the promotion of inter-religious harmony in the archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Around 90 lay-faithful from the different parishes of the archdiocese participated in this follow-up seminar. The main aim of this seminar was to instil the value and need of strengthening and promoting inter-religious harmony in the archdiocese.

The seminar began with a prayer service led by Sr Godwina Pereira. Dr Elvis Fernandes, the convenor of Sadbhav, welcomed the gathering and emphasised the importance of building bridges among different faith traditions. He said that people of different faiths can work together for the common good, inspired by their sincere search for truth and their desire to live virtuous lives.

The first session on the topic ‘Inter-Religious Dialogue: Challenges and Responses’, was presented by Dr Bolmax Pereira. In his presentation he highlighted that the dialogue of life translated into action for the common well-being and development is the need of the hour and one of the most portent forms of inter-religious dialogue in the contemporary age. He placed before the members the various challenges facing Goa and Goans and the urgency to respond to them urgently and unitedly.

The second session on ‘Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Mission of the Catholic Church’ was presented by Dr Ramiro Luis. Focusing on ‘Nostra Aetate’, the church document on inter-religious dialogue, he lucidly and efficiently unravelled the attitude of respect and fraternity of the church towards people of other faiths and also recognition of the shared spiritual wisdom.

In the third session on ‘Jesus and Inter-Religious Dialogue’, the resource person Fr Macson Fernandes reflected beautifully on the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (Jn. 4: 1-42) and brought out the attitudes of Jesus, which can become powerful inspiration, great model and efficient means for us to enter into a fruitful dialogue with people of different faith traditions.

In the two group discussions animated by Dr Ramiro Luis and Fr Heston Ferrao, the participants were seen to be actively involved in clarifying their queries about the various issues related to the apostolate of inter-religious dialogue and also drawing-up a road map for effective implementation of the plan of action to foster inter-religious dialogue at various levels in the archdiocese.

The seminar ended with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr Franky Carvalho, professor of Biblical theology at the Pilar Theological Institute. At the end Dr Agnelo Pinheiro, the convenor of the Apostolate of Inter-religious Dialogue, proposed the vote of thanks. The entire programme was compered by Alisha Da Cunha.