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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
ganesha (hindu) idol worship justified by archbishop	francisco	Sunday, September 16, 2007
Question: i feel that the archbishop does not realise that he is promoting idol worship Stating that Ganesha characterises the God who removes obstacles and who grants success, Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao in his message says “Among the rich and multi-layered symbolisms that surround this feast, I am particularly attracted by the depiction of Ganesha, representing the complete conquest of self over egoism or desire,” said Archbishop Ferrao in his message. “On the occasion of this important Hindu festival, I formulate sincere wishes that God Almighty may impart his generous blessings on every Hindu household and individual and fill them with his choicest spiritual gifts and genuine success in their endeavours,” he said. Archbishop Ferrao also took the opportunity to hope that people may all be freed from the shackles of egoism and parochialism and “join together in building a society based on sound human and moral values, conscious of our common obligation towards our children, our environment and our common heritage.”
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Francisco: Since I do not have a copy of the Archbishop's speech I really cannot comment on it. Especially on issues like this one needs to see the full context of the statements. Certain, the Church teaches that we are to always interpret another person's words in a positive way unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise in order to avoid the sin of rash judgment. The Catechism states: 2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way: Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved. In that spirit, I must first assume that the Archbishop was not justifying idol worship. Rather, I must assume that he was making a ecumenical gesture to the Hindus and pointing out the symbolism of Ganesha that represents a real Truth -- that we need to conquer our egoism and desires. The Catholic Church teaches that we are to affirm truth wherever it is found. If a Satanist were to say something that is true, then we need to acknowledge that. To acknowledge a truth posited by a Satanist does not imply that we are approving or justifying Satanism; rather we are only recognizing the grain of truth. I think this is what the Archbishop was doing -- he recognized a grain of truth. This seems obvious in his words: “Among the rich and multi-layered symbolisms that surround this feast, I am particularly attracted by the depiction of Ganesha, representing the complete conquest of self over egoism or desire.” It appears to me, from the little that you posted of his remarks that the Archbishop was merely reaching out in Christian love to the Hindus. He took the occasion of this important Hindu feast to show the Hindus that we have something in common--the "conquest of self over egoism and desire." And he blessed them. Unless there is more in his speech that indicates otherwise, my interpretation is the positive interpretation that we are morally obligated to assert and the one most likely to be the Archbishop's intent. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

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ganesha (hindu) idol worship justified by archbishop

francisco

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Question:

i feel that the archbishop does not realise that he is promoting idol worship

Stating that Ganesha characterises the God who removes obstacles and who grants success, Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao in his message says “Among the rich and multi-layered symbolisms that surround this feast, I am particularly attracted by the depiction of Ganesha, representing the complete conquest of self over egoism or desire,” said Archbishop Ferrao in his message.

“On the occasion of this important Hindu festival, I formulate sincere wishes that God Almighty may impart his generous blessings on every Hindu household and individual and fill them with his choicest spiritual gifts and genuine success in their endeavours,” he said.

Archbishop Ferrao also took the opportunity to hope that people may all be freed from the shackles of egoism and parochialism and “join together in building a society based on sound human and moral values, conscious of our common obligation towards our children, our environment and our common heritage.”

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Francisco:

Since I do not have a copy of the Archbishop's speech I really cannot comment on it. Especially on issues like this one needs to see the full context of the statements.

Certain, the Church teaches that we are to always interpret another person's words in a positive way unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise in order to avoid the sin of rash judgment.

The Catechism states:

2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:

Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.

In that spirit, I must first assume that the Archbishop was not justifying idol worship. Rather, I must assume that he was making a ecumenical gesture to the Hindus and pointing out the symbolism of Ganesha that represents a real Truth -- that we need to conquer our egoism and desires.

The Catholic Church teaches that we are to affirm truth wherever it is found. If a Satanist were to say something that is true, then we need to acknowledge that. To acknowledge a truth posited by a Satanist does not imply that we are approving or justifying Satanism; rather we are only recognizing the grain of truth. I think this is what the Archbishop was doing -- he recognized a grain of truth. This seems obvious in his words:

“Among the rich and multi-layered symbolisms that surround this feast, I am particularly attracted by the depiction of Ganesha, representing the complete conquest of self over egoism or desire.”

It appears to me, from the little that you posted of his remarks that the Archbishop was merely reaching out in Christian love to the Hindus. He took the occasion of this important Hindu feast to show the Hindus that we have something in common--the "conquest of self over egoism and desire." And he blessed them.

Unless there is more in his speech that indicates otherwise, my interpretation is the positive interpretation that we are morally obligated to assert and the one most likely to be the Archbishop's intent.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.