“Love, Mercy and Compassion as Wellsprings of Peace and Hope” was the central theme of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2016 (1- 7 February). The event acquired a special significance in the Philippines due to the support given by Card. Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila. In fact, it was the Cardinal who commenced the week-long celebration by hosting a breakfast dialogue with various religious leaders, key government officials and the diplomatic corps. It was an occasion for different religions to come together and know each other, and engage in dialogue. From this perspective of sharing, through forums and round table discussions, various topics were reflected on during the week, including climate change. For many of the participants in this program – of which the Focolare was tasked with coordinating the preparation of the interfaith aspect – it was getting to know the many facets and arduous challenges that this problem presents.  They expressed a great interest in the proposals regarding the role that governments, but also each one of us, can play to safeguard the environment. A joint symposium on Mary in the Bible and Mariam in Quran also proved to be quite interesting. The unanimous conclusion: Mary, woman of love, mercy and compassion, is a mother for all Christians and Muslims.  Another significant event saw the attendance of 80 cancer patients and survivors. The opening remarks were based on the spirituality of Chiara Lubich. At the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Buddhist Temple the awards ceremony of a digital poster-making contest took place. It was organized with the Buddhist International Association – Manila, on the theme “Creating Peace and Hope through Acts of Goodness”. An activity was also organized in Quezon City, Metro Manila, where, for some years now, Sulyap ng Pag-asa (Glimpse of Hope) is found. It is a housing project of the Focolare undertaken for the purpose of providing housing to homeless families. Here some 90 Christian and Muslim children spent an exciting afternoon together, with songs, dances and games which helped them understand how to build fraternity despite differences in culture and religion. The culminating activity of the week-long celebration was the Festival of Harmony held in a big shopping mall in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. It attracted an extraordinary participation indeed. Cardinal Tagle and the participants in the breakfast dialogue were joined by other institutional dignitaries, by people who had participated in the various events during the week, by ordinary people.  After highlighting mutual cooperation between the government and the religious sectors in promoting religious freedom, dialogue and peace, the program continued with musical numbers from the youth and children of various faith groups. A young member of the Focolare introduced a choreography and said: “To attain love, mercy and compassion as wellsprings of peace, there is the need to overcome diversities, … and to be united for peace and harmony.”  With other children of different religions, a girl was chosen to speak in the name of the Roman Catholic Church. She said: “To me, peace is harmony and love. When God created the world, everything was fine. There was balance and harmony with the plants and animals. When man came, it was okay for a while until he became greedy. He cut down trees, flattened mountains and now cement is everywhere! Animals became extinct. There is no more balance and harmony. I dream of harmony in nature. I dream of no war.” Cardinal Tagle’s concluding remarks were an emotional one. Clearly touched and grateful to the children who spoke, he cited all the various talks making the different subjects his own.

---

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teamVMfAoKw