22 May 2004http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/hindus-worship-at-fatima-altar/15758Hindus worship at Fátima altar
in News · 22-05-2004 00:00:00 · 0 Comments
Last October The Portugal News reported on the Interfaith Congress held at Fátima, one of Catholicism’s most sacred sites, where representatives of the world’s leading religions allegedly explored the possibility of opening the shrine to a whole variety of faiths. While the newspaper received many letters and emails congratulating it for reporting on the congress, it was also criticised by some groups who claimed that Fátima would remain exclusively Catholic.
Now, however, we can report that the first steps in developing Fátima as a multi-faith centre could have been taken. On May 5th, SIC and SIC Notícias carried a report on a Hindu religious service held in the Chapel of the Apparitions at the shrine.
SIC’s broadcast appears, to some extent, vindicate The Portugal News’ October report. Sixty Hindus led by a high priest had travelled from Lisbon to pay homage to the Goddess Devi, the divinity of nature. SIC’s reporter described how before leaving Lisbon the Hindus had gathered at their temple in the city to pray to and worship various statues of Hindu gods.
Arriving in Fátima the pilgrims made their way to the Chapel of the Apparitions, where from the altar a Hindu priest led prayer sessions. A commentary on the service was given by the TV reporter who explained: “This is an unprecedented unique moment in the history of the shrine. The Hindu priest, or Sha Tri, prays on the altar the Shaniti Pa, the prayer for peace.” The Hindus can be seen removing their shoes before approaching the altar rail of the chapel as the priest chants prayers from the altar’s sanctuary.
During the newscast the Rector of the shrine Father Luciano Guerra says: These meetings give us the opportunity to remind ourselves that we live in community”.
After worshipping their gods and praying in the chapel the Hindus are shown being escorted to an exhibition hall where a model of the controversial new basilica currently being constructed is on display. In a setting described as ambassadorial by the commentator, each Hindu is personally greeted by the Bishop of Leiria - Fátima, who bows to the Hindu priest repeating his gesture of greeting. The Hindu priest is then seen clothing the Rector of the Fátima Shrine and the bishop with a Hindu priestly shawl. “On the shoulders of the highest representatives of the Church in Fátima, the Hindu priest places a shawl with the inscriptions of the Bagavad Gita, one of the sacred books of Hinduism,” the reporter tells his viewers.
The newscast finishes with scenes of the Hindu priest lighting a candle at the shrine while his followers dance outside the Chapel of the Apparitions chanting praises to their gods. The TV commentator concludes by saying: “In 1982, a Guru, a high priest of Hinduism, came from Bombay to Fátima……He signed the book of honour right after Pope John Paul II and on the same page as Mother Teresa of Calcutta.”
In other reactions to the Hindu ritual, a long-standing member of the Leira-Fátima diocese was less accepting of the opening of the sanctuary to other cults and religions, telling the Jornal de Leiria: “I understand the opening of the site to other religions. But I disagree with the practise of non-Catholic rituals at the sanctuary’s holiest site”.
Bishop of the Diocese, D. Serafim Ferreira e Silva, has a different opinion. He told the regional newspaper: “We don’t want to be fundamentalist, but sincere and honest”.
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19th April 2017http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-cricket-club-takes-interreligious-tournament-to-fatima-60953/Vatican cricket club takes interreligious tournament to Fatima Pope Francis meets with the St. Peter's Cricket Club at the Vatican, Sept. 9, 2014. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano.
By Hannah Brockhaus
Fatima, Portugal, Apr 19, 2017 / 10:45 am (CNA/EWTN News).- St. Peter’s Cricket Club, the Vatican’s cricket team, is traveling to Fatima April 19-22 for an interreligious tournament ahead of the 100th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the country.
The team’s third international tour, the tournament will include Muslim, Hindu, and Jєωιѕн teams coming from Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
It takes place just three weeks before the Pope’s pilgrimage to Fatima May 12-13 to join in the centenary celebrations.
Established in 2013, St. Peter’s Cricket Club is made up of priests, deacons, and seminarians currently living and studying in Rome.
Current and past members have hailed from England, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The team was formed under the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture as a way to creatively engage with people from other Churches, ecclesial communions, and religions.
The first day of the trip will be dedicated to visiting the shrine at Fatima, and the three following to the tournament. The team is hosted by the municipal council and people of Miranda do Corvo, near the historic university city of Coimbra.
The cricket club’s third “Light of Faith Tour,” the first was held in England in 2014. On April 23, 2016 the team played their second cricket match against the Royal Household in Rome to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday.
Their second “Light of Faith Tour” was also held in England, in September 2016.
Pope Francis has frequently praised sports, particularly for their ability to bring people together.
In June 2014, he told a crowd of Italian youth gathered in St. Peter’s Square for a field day event that “Sports in the community can be a great missionary tool, where the Church is close to every person to help them become better and to meet Jesus Christ.”
And in October 2016, he told participants in an international conference on sports at the Vatican that the beauty and joy found in sports, whether playing or watching, is something that benefits and unites everyone, regardless of religion, ethnic group, nationality, or disability.
“Sport is a human activity of great value, able to enrich people's lives,” he said. “As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, she is working in the world of sport to bring the joy of the Gospel, the inclusive and unconditional love of God for all human beings.”
Tags: Interreligious dialogue
Topic: Interfaith still going strong in Fatima (Read 673 times)