Hindus welcome St. Thomas University of Florida efforts to bring religions together

NEVADA - Hindus have welcomed St. Thomas University of Florida (USA) for creating interdenominational Ecumenical Institute.

According to Institute Director Rev. Diane Shoaf, it will “seek mutual understanding of the religious convictions and practices of other Christian traditions, other Abrahamic faiths and other world religions”.

Eminent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that religion was the most powerful, complex and far-reaching force in our society, so we must take it seriously. And we all knew that religion comprised much more than our own particular tradition/experience.

Calling interreligious efforts of St. Thomas University “a step in the right direction”, Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that in our shared pursuit for the truth, we could learn from one another and thus could arrive nearer to the truth. As dialogue brought us reciprocal enrichment, we would be spiritually richer than before the contact.

Rev. Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale is the President, Gregory T. Swienton is the Board of Trustees Chair, Mercedes R. Iannone is Interim Dean of School of Theology and Ministry, of St. Thomas University founded in 1961 and located on 140 acre campus in Miami Gardens, whose mission is “Developing Leaders for Life.” This Catholic university has students from over 70 countries and offers 72 majors and programs, including doctorate in Practical Theology. Its alumni include John Dooner, CEO of Interpublic Group of Companies.

Roman Catholic Church is the largest of the Christian denominations. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. (ANI)