‘Golden rule’ key to successful interreligious dialogue, says Thai cardinal

A Thai cardinal said that the key to achieving a successful and fruitful dialogue among religions is to be united through the Golden Rule: do to others what you would have them do to you.

"[The Golden Rule] is almost the same words… in the sacred books of the main religions," said Bangkok Archbishop Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitvanit in response to query about the impact of Pope Francis' visit to Mongolia on the Church in Asia.

"This point brings us together. We can start from this point," he said.

The prelate said that with proper translation and execution, reflecting on the Golden Rule through interreligious dialogue is possible. 

Interreligious dialogue is a topic close to the cardinal’s heart since he leads a flock of more than 30,000 Catholics in Buddhist-dominated Thailand.

The country has 11 dioceses, including two archdioceses.

Moreover, Cardinal Kovitvanit also commented on Pope Francis’ visit to Mongolia.

He said that the pontiff’s visit to another Asian country where Catholics are a minority is a strong message of hope that they are still part of the Church and not forgotten.

"What we are going to give witness to is the people of Mongolia, this civilization that doesn’t seem important," he said. "People can touch, experience, and believe in them."

"The credibility of the Good News of [the Christian Church] is the testimony of Christian love," he added.

Pope Francis is the very first head of the Catholic Church to step into Mongolia, which is in line with his vision to reach out to the "peripheries of society."

He referred to Mongolia as a country with "a small population but with a great culture."

The Holy Father concluded his visit to the Asian country with only around 1,200 Catholics on Monday, with him presiding over the Mass in the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on Sunday.