World Fellowship of Inter-Religious Councils (WFIRC): February 10.2011
Our Tenth Assembly was held in the Franciscan Centre for Peace in Karukutty, Kerala, India, from the 9th to the 12th of December, 2010.
WFIRC 2010 Declaration
The pilgrims who had participated in the WFIRC Assembly 2010 from 9th to 12th December, at the Franciscan Centre, Karukutty, Ernakulam District, Kerala, India, here together endorse and sign the following declaration. As fellow pilgrims belonging to the global inter religious and dialogue movement we reaffirm our togetherness as a community working for the enhancement of peace, harmony and justice. We recognize that in the present day world our fellow pilgrims belonging to communities of Dalits, outcastes and tribes face inequality, injustice and violation of their rights. Similarly women and children are being marginalized. Our youth grow up without proper direction and value basis. The market culture has reduced the value of human life and put money as the basis of all. We exploit our mother earth and in the name of development we destroy our bio-diversity and ecological balance. As an inter-religious community we are challenged by these and other issues related to these concerns. Three days of deliberations have given us new insights and the power to go forward in unity to confront these issues. We commit ourselves – To build awareness among ourselves and the religious communities we belong, about the above mentioned concerns. – To condemn the religious practices that legitimize all practices of marginalization. – To engage ourselves in actions of solidarity with the Dalits, outcastes, tribals, women and children. – To promote activities which will enhance the protection of bio-diversity, ecological balance and resource conservation. – To accompany our young generation through education and life examples so that a value based new generation will emerge. – To bring reforms in our society and religious groups accordingly We urge the central Government and the state governments to take cognizance of the above mentioned concerns and use the government machineries to implement necessary actions. We commit ourselves and our communities to all actions which will enhance the life of our fellow pilgrims and the whole of creation so that all of us together can say “Loka samasta sukhino bhavanthu”.
We hope to hold our next Assembly in December 2012 –next year. Your suggestions and proposals are welcome
Fr.Albert Nambiaparambil cmi, Secretary Genral, WFIRC, Upasana, THODUPUSHA-685 584, Kerala, India. Tel.m.9446131173 ` e/m.upasanadr@dataone.in