On Boulevard Waterloo in Brussels, the Church buildings of Scientology for Europe hosted a landmark convention centered on kindness, peace, and understanding amongst various communities. Organized beneath the stewardship of Eric Roux, a devoted advocate for interfaith dialogue and concord, the occasion introduced collectively an array of voices from totally different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. By highly effective speeches and significant exchanges, the gathering emphasised the vital function of compassion and collaboration in addressing world challenges.
Kindness because the Basis of Concord
The convention opened with a name to embrace kindness as a common precept. Eric Roux underscored the transformative energy of straightforward but profound actions, reminiscent of treating others with the identical respect and care one needs. Audio system famous that kindness not solely enhances particular person interactions but in addition holds the potential to heal societal rifts and promote a tradition of respect and inclusion.
On this spirit, references had been made to the ethical teachings of worldwide spiritual traditions. Whether or not by means of Buddhist temples, Catholic church buildings, Synagogues or Islamic mosques, the message was clear: religion communities around the globe possess immense potential to unite humanity by means of shared values of empathy and generosity.
The Cardinal’s Message: Compassion as a Ethical Crucial
A spotlight of the occasion was the deal with by Cardinal Jozef De Kesel, whose reflections captivated the viewers. In his speech, the Cardinal emphasised the ethical duty of people and establishments to behave as catalysts for peace. Drawing from his deep theological data and pastoral expertise, he articulated the necessity for unity and compassion in a world more and more divided by battle and misunderstanding.
Cardinal De Kesel reminded attendees that religion should function a bridge, not a barrier, inspiring folks to rise above prejudices and work towards collective well-being. He additionally invited the world to respect and worth religions, man being a spiritual being by nature. His phrases resonated as a strong reminder that peace begins with understanding and that acts of kindness can ripple outward, creating significant change.
“It’s a development that additionally exist in our secularized society, to marginalize, to denationalise, to not take into consideration religions. However Man is a spiritual being, not that he’s essentially Christian, as he might be Buddhist, Jewish, from Scientology, or from some other perception, however he’s looking for the that means of existence. So it is vital in our tradition to respect and worth religions.”
Cardinal Jozef de Kesel
Honoring Marc Bromberg: A Legacy of Peacebuilding
The occasion additionally served as a chance to honor the life and work of Marc Bromberg, a 93-year-old champion of peace and reconciliation, who introduced his retirement.
Bromberg’s life story, marked by his experiences as a Holocaust survivor, deeply moved the viewers. Fleeing Nazi-occupied Paris as a toddler, he grew right into a tireless advocate for dialogue and understanding throughout spiritual and cultural divides.
Launched by Eric Roux with a mixture of humor and admiration, Bromberg mirrored on his many years of labor fostering interfaith collaboration and mutual respect from his place within the Church of Scientology. He highlighted the significance of small acts of kindness in breaking down obstacles and constructing a tradition of peace. His resolution to retire was met with an outpouring of gratitude and affection from these current, lots of whom had labored intently with him.
Thomas Gergely: Exploring the Nature of Humanity
Famend scholar Professor Thomas Gergely, Director of the Institute for the examine of Judaism on the Free College pf Brussels (ULB) delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the essence of humanity. He questioned the essentialization of faith, in addition to of the spiritual acts of reliance, as possibly essentially the most vital think about bias and prejudice in opposition to the opposite. Drawing on his intensive data and expertise, Gergely supplied a profound exploration of human nature, urging the viewers to mirror on what defines us as people and as a species, and keep away from being directed by our personal bias with regards to religions.
His insights, each mental and deeply human, bridged summary ideas with sensible implications. His deal with left attendees with a way of mental enrichment and ethical duty.
Girls and Youth: Pillars of Peacebuilding
The contributions of ladies and younger folks to the reason for peace had been one other point of interest of the occasion. Madame Abdi Hafida, president of the Espoir et Sourire Affiliation, shared her experiences advocating for household welfare and gender equality. She emphasised the significance of addressing the basis causes of battle, together with inequality and systemic neglect.
In the meantime, the inventive potential of youth was highlighted by means of initiatives just like the artwork exhibition The World I Need to Dwell In, organized by younger Ukrainians. That includes artworks from youngsters aged 7 to 17, the exhibition illustrated the resilience and hope of youthful generations, even within the face of adversity.
Rkia Tiar, President of the European Community of Girls of Religion, delivered a compelling speech that targeted on the important function of ladies in peacebuilding and the need of fostering interfaith dialogue by means of schooling and know-how. She emphasised the distinctive struggling of moms throughout occasions of conflict, noting that their grief transcends borders as they mourn their youngsters on each side of conflicts. Tiar highlighted revolutionary concepts her community has explored, reminiscent of creating digital platforms for interfaith exchanges, organizing immersive cultural and spiritual experiences, and establishing incubators to help peace initiatives addressing social challenges like discrimination and refugee crises. She additionally advocated for better use of artwork, media, and spiritual diplomacy as instruments for selling concord. Tiar concluded with a strong name to motion, urging collaboration, visibility within the media, and schooling for future generations to make sure that the work of peace endures.
In the course of the convention, interventions by Ines Wouters, Bhairavananda Sarasvati Swami, and Chantal Vanderplancke added vital depth and variety to the discussions. Ines Wouters, a distinguished authorized skilled and a Buddhist practitioner, emphasised the significance of safeguarding elementary freedoms and fostering dialogue throughout spiritual and cultural traces, whereas explaining how Buddhism is a person path to a non-conflictual angle, and the way remodeling your self could rework the world.
The Swami supplied a non secular perspective, reminding attendees of the timeless knowledge present in Hindu philosophy that emphasizes unity, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all beings, but in addition how interreligious and intercultural dialogue is the one technique to understanding, which results in peace. Chantal Vanderplancke a Physician in Theology kind the Catholic College of Leuven, shared heartfelt reflections on how peace begins with the Coronary heart, echoing the final encyclic from Pope Francis, Dilexit Nos (On the Human and Divine Love of the Coronary heart of Jesus Christ). Their mixed contributions enriched the convention, showcasing the multifaceted nature of efforts to construct a extra peaceable and understanding world.
Because the convention drew to an in depth, Eric Roux thanked all members for his or her contributions, noting the highly effective synergy of various voices united by a shared imaginative and prescient of kindness and peace. The gathering was a testomony to the enduring perception that empathy and understanding can overcome even the deepest divisions.
With a watch towards the longer term, audio system emphasised the significance of training the following technology about human rights, cultural variety, and the worth of dialogue. By fostering these ideas, they hoped to construct a extra compassionate and harmonious world.
