London: Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad has called on religious communities to promote nonviolence, justice and reconciliation, saying that choosing peace requires courage and active commitment rather than weakness or indifference.
Speaking at an Ahimsa Day celebration at the British Parliament in London on Monday, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue highlighted the shared values of Jainism and Christianity. He urged people of different faiths to work together to address conflict, hatred, discrimination and environmental destruction.
The event was organised by the Institute of Jainology and brought together Jain spiritual leaders, representatives of different religious traditions, lawmakers and peace activists.
Cardinal Koovakad described Ahimsa, the Jain principle of nonviolence, as a timely response to the challenges facing the world. The principle calls for avoiding harm to all living beings through thoughts, words and actions.
Rooted in Jain philosophy, Ahimsa emphasises respect for life and the responsibility to minimise harm. The principle is also associated with Mahatma Gandhi, who drew inspiration from India's nonviolent traditions in his struggle for independence and demonstrated how peaceful resistance could bring about social and political change.
The Cardinal stressed that nonviolence must be practised through concrete actions rather than remain an idea or a declaration.
He also highlighted the close connection between Jain teachings on nonviolence and the Christian message of peace, rooted in the life and example of Jesus Christ. He recalled Christ's command to love one's enemies and his instruction to Peter to put away his sword.
Referring to the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Koovakad explained that Christian nonviolence does not mean accepting evil without resistance. Instead, it calls for responding to evil with good. He also recalled Pope Francis' appeal for people to make active nonviolence a way of life.
The Cardinal emphasised that genuine nonviolence involves a determined commitment to justice, reconciliation and peace.
He also reflected on the relationship between the Jain community and the Holy See, which began in 1986 when Pope John Paul II invited Jain spiritual leader Acharya Shri Tulsi to the interreligious gathering for peace in Assisi.
Further encounters strengthened the relationship, including a meeting between Pope John Paul II and an international Jain delegation in 1995 and formal discussions with the then Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in 2011.
Over the past four decades, Jain and Catholic representatives have developed cooperation on issues including nonviolence, family life, sustainable development, care for creation and peace.
Cardinal Koovakad described this relationship as having grown from individual meetings into an institutional partnership built on respect, trust and cooperation. He also pointed to a Jain Catholic Conference scheduled for 20 October as another opportunity to deepen dialogue and friendship.
The Cardinal connected the celebration with the approaching 40th anniversary of the Assisi gathering for peace on 27 October. He also reflected on Saint Francis of Assisi, whose death 800 years ago is being commemorated by the Catholic Church this year.
He presented Saint Francis as an enduring example of peace, simplicity, fraternity and care for creation. The saint's understanding of all creatures as brothers and sisters, he said, shares common ground with the Jain belief in the interconnectedness and sacredness of life.
Against the background of conflict and environmental destruction, Cardinal Koovakad urged people to draw inspiration from both traditions to strengthen solidarity, fraternity and respect for all living beings.
He further stressed that interreligious dialogue does not require communities to abandon their distinctive beliefs. Instead, people of different faiths can remain faithful to their traditions while working together for the common good.
The Cardinal highlighted Jain principles of self restraint, non possessiveness and the interconnectedness of life, alongside Catholic social teaching on human dignity, solidarity, care for vulnerable people and protection of the common home.
Recalling Pope Leo XIV's call for religions to become a source of unity in a divided world, Cardinal Koovakad urged religious communities to build bridges between people rather than contribute to division.
He said Jain Catholic dialogue should help connect communities, educate young people, defend the dignity of life and encourage joint responses to violence, poverty and environmental challenges.
Concluding his address, the Cardinal congratulated Dr Abhay Firodia, the recipient of this year's Ahimsa Award, and called on people to overcome hostility and work together in the spirit of nonviolence.