Goa Church calls on people to work together against prejudice

PANAJI, Goa (Indian Catholic News) — The Catholic Church in Goa has urged people to strengthen fraternity, dispel prejudice and care for one another during the festive season of Diwali.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa and Daman, extended greetings to Hindus on behalf of the Catholic community, alongside his Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes.

In his Diwali message, Cardinal Ferrão said the festival reminds people of “the triumph of light over darkness and truth over untruth.”

He encouraged people to “kindle love and compassion within our hearts,” drawing attention to their shared responsibility to build peace.

Describing Goa as “a beacon of communal harmony,” he urged people to work together to overcome prejudice and care for one another.

Citing the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, the cardinal said “true peace is built through authentic dialogue, mutual respect and everyday encounters.”

In its 2026 message for Diwali, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue urged Christians and Hindus to pray together for peace, nurture universal fraternity and strengthen interreligious dialogue.

“Fraternity enables us to recognize the face of God in others and to stand in solidarity with them, especially the poor and the weak,” the Vatican message said. “The more fraternity flourishes among us, the more peace will take root in our world.”

In 2026, Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, falls on Sunday, Nov. 8.

The five-day celebration began with Dhanteras on Nov. 6, when many Hindus buy gold, silver and household goods as symbols of prosperity, and reaches its peak with Lakshmi Puja, prayers to the goddess of wealth and good fortune. The festival concludes with Bhai Dooj on Nov. 11, honouring the bond between brothers and sisters.

Across India, millions celebrate Diwali by lighting traditional earthen lamps (diyas), creating colourful rangoli patterns and decorating homes with festive lights.

The annual festival, dating to the Vedic period around 2,000 B.C., celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and life over death.

The festival’s symbolism of light also resonates with Catholics, who use candles and light in sacraments and celebrations, including baptism, first Communion and Easter.

Read the message.