Bangladesh Catholic Church Hosts International Conference on Interreligious Dialogue and Harmony

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh hosted a landmark international conference on interreligious dialogue and harmony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, on September 9.

The event, organized by the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue (ECCUIRD), drew nearly 950 participants, including diplomats and representatives from Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities.

The conference reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to fostering interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence under the theme “Promoting a Culture of Harmony.”

Delivering the keynote address, George Jacob Cardinal Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, said, “Dialogue means meeting one another as true friends, with respect and with the conviction that God is at work in the venerable religious traditions of humanity. These traditions we are called to honor.”

He acknowledged ongoing struggles to accept religious plurality but stressed that differences should not instill fear. “Interreligious formation can help overcome prejudice and resistance. Education and knowledge are indispensable for peacebuilding, helping to eradicate hatred and intolerance. Our schools and universities must prepare future generations to embrace pluralism in the spirit of human dignity and respect,” he added.

Archbishop Kevin Randall, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, read a message from Pope Leo XIV, who reminded participants that building a culture of harmony involves not only sharing religious teachings but also practical experiences. Quoting the Letter of James (1:27), the Pope emphasised, “Pure and undefiled religion in the eyes of God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world’s corruption.”

Archbishop Randall added, “From this perspective, we can say that the measure of true interfaith friendship is the willingness to come together to help the most vulnerable in society. Bangladesh has already witnessed inspiring examples of such unity in recent years, where people of different faiths have come together to express solidarity and pray together in the face of natural disasters and tragic events.”

The Chief Guest, Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Adviser for Mass and Primary Education, thanked the Catholic Church for organizing the Harmony Conference. “We do not want division among religions. We want unity, we want closeness. We do not want conflict, we want dialogue,” he said. He also reflected on the inclusion of secularism in Bangladesh’s constitution, underscoring that the state must remain neutral regarding religion: “Emotions must give way to reason. When emotions become irrational, they can destroy. Dialogue is essential. Remaining calm is essential. Only then can we build something new.”

The program began with a short film on the Catholic Church’s efforts in interreligious dialogue, followed by the national anthem and a welcoming ceremony. Guests were honored with floral tributes accompanied by songs.

Readings from sacred texts, the Holy Quran, the Holy Gita, the Holy Tripitaka, and the Holy Bible, set a spiritual tone for the day. Faith leaders from Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim communities also shared reflections on brotherhood and harmony.