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At the WYD in Toronto, inter-religious dialogue played an important role in opening horizons in the consciousness of the young people at a time in history when the encounter between faiths and cultures appears to be the only antidote to the tensions threatening the world.
For three days St Patrick’s Church set the stage for songs, dances, sketches, video’s and a fireworks of testimonials of young members of different religions who shared the Focolari spirit of unity. In fact, the Canadian Church had asked the Movement to organize the event.
North American media was surprised to discover Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist youth participating at WYD in Toronto.
Personal stories told how the ’art of loving’ transforms one’s life, heals wounds, opens new avenues, unites youth of different cultures and creeds, and still respects everyone’s own identity.
They described how the art of loving is rooted in the golden rule, that is “do onto others as you would have them do onto you”, which is common to all religions: Metta, a Thai Buddhist once accused of being brain washed by Christians, later convinced the Buddhist school of his ideas.
The Hindu, Avinash, described how his encounter with “Teens for a United World” in Bombay led to the discovery of a life rich with values.
A Jewish journalist and a Muslim Imam from the United States also spoke. One of the Christian witnesses was Alice from Burundi. She told the story of how she forgave those who killed part of her family.
Together with members of the other tribe, she has become a point of reference at the University for youth from the two ethnic groups in conflict.
The youth welcomed with great joy the President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Cardinal Francis Arinze, who said, “At this point, dialogue is an irreversible component of the Catholic Church.”
