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HOT TOPICS: Fatima Interfaith Shrine and Congress
Portugal News Documents on the
Fatima Interfaith Congress and Shrine
Fatima to Become Interfaith Shrine
November 11, 2003
Delegates attending the Vatican and United Nations (UN) inspired annual
interfaith congress "The Future of God", held during October in Fátima,
heard how the Shrine is to be developed into a centre where all the
religions of the world will gather to pay homage to their various gods.
The Congress was held in the Paul VI Pastoral Centre and presided over by
the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon José de Cruz Policarpo.
The Shrine's rector, Monsignor Luciano Guerra, told the Congress that
Fátima "will change for the better." Addressing Hindu, Muslim, Jewish,
Orthodox, Buddhist and African Pagan representatives he stated: "The
future of Fátima, or the adoration of God and His mother at this holy
Shrine, must pass through the creation of a shrine where different
religions can mingle. The inter-religious dialogue in Portugal, and in
the Catholic Church, is still in an embryonic phase, but the Shrine of
Fátima is not indifferent to this fact and is already open to being a
universalistic place of vocation."
The Hindu representative Ansshok Ansraj, described how already in the Far
East millions of Hindus are getting "positive vibrations" from visiting
Marian shrines without endangering their faith.
Monsignor Guerra pointed out that the very fact that Fátima is the name
of a Muslim and Mohammed's daughter, is indicative that the Shrine must
be open to the co-existence of various faiths and beliefs. According to
the Monsignor: "Therefore we must assume that it was the will of the
Blessed Virgin Mary that this comes about this way." Traditional
Catholics opposed to the Congress were described by the Monsignor as "old
fashioned, narrow minded, fanatic extremists and provocateurs."
For the first time in the 86-year history of Fátima all of the Pagan and
Christian delegates were invited to participate in the Ecumenical
celebrations. One of the principle speakers, the Jesuit theologian Father
Jacques Dupuis, was insistent that the religions of the world must unite.
"The religion of the future will be a general converging of religions in
a universal Christ that will satisfy all", he said.
The Belgium born theologian argued: "The other religious traditions in
the world are part of God's plan for humanity and the Holy Spirit is
operating and present in Buddhist, Hindu and other sacred writings of
Christian and non-Christian faiths as well." In an impassioned plea he
said: "The universality of God's kingdom permits this, and this is
nothing more than a diversified form of sharing in the same mystery of
salvation. In the end it is hoped that the Christian will become a better
Christian and each Hindu a better Hindu."
An official statement put out by the Congress called for a
non-proselytising approach by all religions. "No one religion can
irradiate another", it said "or strengthen itself by downplaying others
and an open dialogue is the way to building bridges and tearing down
walls of centuries of hate. What is needed is that each religion be true
to its faith integrally and treat each religion on the same footing of
equality with no inferior or superiority complexes." It emphasised that
the secret to peace amongst all religions is admitting that
contradictions exist between creeds but to concentrate on what unites
them as opposed to what separates them.
Delegates agreed that religious shrines, including Fátima, should be
revamped every 25 years to reflect modern day trends and beliefs. The
Shrine of Fátima is about to undergo a complete reconstruction with a new
stadium-like basilica being erected close by the existing one built in
1921.
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