Goa: At a vibrant gathering celebrating the Jubilee of Inter-Religious Dialogue, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman delivered a deeply reflective and unifying message, reminding participants that genuine unity does not demand sameness but emerges from a shared human dream for peace, dignity, and hope. The event organized by the Committee for the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue in collaboration with Sadbhav of the Pilar Society took place in the festive pandal erected for the Novena and feast of St. Francis Xavier in Old Goa. This year’s celebration focused on the theme: “Messengers of Peace, Rays of Hope.”
Bishop Fernandes described the interfaith gathering as “a sacred moment where we recognize ourselves as one human family, blessed with diverse traditions but united by a common longing.” Though cultures, customs, and prayers may differ, he said, “our sacred heritages meet at one profound crossroads the call to cultivate peace and kindle hope.”
Drawing from timeless wisdom, the Bishop invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s affirmation that “peace is the path,” challenging attendees to build peace not with grand gestures but through simple acts of respect, empathy, and dialogue. He also recalled the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace” and the teaching of the Dalai Lama, who emphasized that peace is not the absence of conflict but the commitment to resolve differences through peaceful means. Such peace, Bishop Fernandes stressed, demands courage, humility, and attentive listening.
Speaking on the theme of hope, the Bishop described it as the “lifeblood of humanity” in an age marked by uncertainty and anxiety. He drew inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr.’s reminder to never lose sight of “infinite hope,” Helen Keller’s vision of hope that “sees the invisible,” and Saint John Paul II’s invitation to live without fear. He also echoed Pope Francis’ message for the Jubilee Year: “Hope does not disappoint us.”
Bishop Fernandes praised the day’s celebration as a living testimony that “dialogue triumphs over division and fraternity rises above fear.” He extended heartfelt gratitude to the organizers, including Fr. Agnelo Pinheiro, Director of the Office for Inter-Religious Dialogue, and Fr. Elvis Fernandes, SFX, Convenor of Sadbhav. He also commended the students and performers whose artistic and cultural expressions enriched the programme.
In his concluding appeal, Bishop Fernandes urged the faithful to embody the event’s message in daily life: “Let each one of us carry peace to places of despair and shine as rays of hope where darkness prevails. May we commit ourselves anew to becoming true messengers of peace.”
The celebration ended with a renewed sense of shared purpose affirming Goa’s long-standing legacy of harmony, dialogue, and spiritual openness across faith traditions.