In an era marked by division, Sadbhav of the Society of Pilar brought together voices across faiths for Samvad, a dialogue on building unity through compassion. Held at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, the panel discussion titled “Compassion Across Faiths: Building Bridges in a Divided World” marked the 98th death anniversary of Venerable Agnelo de Souza.
Jointly organised with the Conference of Religious India (Goa Unit) and the Solidarity Forum of Pilar Seminary, the event spotlighted how compassion is lived across religious traditions, urging participants to take personal responsibility for cultivating peace.
“Compassion is central to Islam, rooted in God’s merciful nature,” said Clinical Psychologist Akila Sadik Bepari, who represented the Islamic perspective. Highlighting the greeting “Assalamu Alaikum” as a prayer of peace, she quoted Prophet Muhammad: “The Most Merciful shows mercy to those who are merciful. Be merciful to those on earth.”
Christianity’s call to “enter into others’ pain with a desire to heal” was stressed by Prof. Joan Rebello, who referred to Agape, the Good Samaritan, and the ethic: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Dr. Mahesh Pednekar drew from Buddhism, stating, “True compassion is practical, transformative, and rooted in wisdom,” describing karuṇā as an active response to suffering.
Rooted in Hinduism’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “the world is one family” — Satish Gawde spoke of compassion as a force for societal transformation. Sikh wisdom was shared by Smriti Bhambra, who quoted Guru Nanak Dev Ji: “Let compassion be your cotton, contentment your thread, modesty your knot, and truth your twist.”
Moderated by Dr. Andre Rafael Fernandes, the panel was a reminder that while doctrines differ, kindness unites. Fr. Gabriel Fernandes OFM (Cap), President of CRI Goa, praised the initiative, saying, “Love is the foundation of compassion.”
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