Pope’s Singapore visit urges deeper Interreligious Dialogue: ‘Go Beyond Meetings,’ says Nun

Following Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Singapore, a nun stressed that it is the perfect time for interreligious dialogue to “go beyond meetings.” 

According to Sr. Theresa Seow Lee Huang FdCC of the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue of Singapore, the Holy Father’s three-day visit to the country reinforced the need for building a deeper rapport among different religions. 

“[We must] encourage all the religious groups to make sure that we get our young people on board, not just one or two as a token presence,” she said in an interview with Kangha Keo of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) on September 13. 

She also emphasized how religious life is not just for men or the elderly, but most especially for the youth and women as well.

Meanwhile, Michelle Voo, who was part of the working committee of the pope’s interreligious meeting in Singapore said it is the duty of elders like her to teach the younger generation about the importance of their faith.

“I have to take the message as a grandmother to my grandchildren… that they must be courageous and take risks for the faith,” she explained. 

A Catholic convert from Buddhism, Voo underlined how respecting every human being and setting aside indifference can lead to a more united world.

“Everybody around us who are of different faith but share the same dignity as human person… are all children of God, and God loves them so much equally,” she said in an interview with Kangha Keo of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA).

For Lucas D’Cruz, head of the Department of Student Development at the Catholic Junior College, Pope Francis has inspired educators like him to teach students about unity and hope.

“We have been always trying to inculcate in our students this idea of coming together despite all the diverse backgrounds [and] beliefs… we have to come together in unity as one people to make not just Singapore but the world a better place,” he said.

Singapore was the last stop of Pope Francis’ visit to Asia and Oceania, which included Indonesia, Timor- Leste, and Papua New Guinea.

It was the longest apostolic visit of his pontificate, lasting 11 days.