Saju Chackalackal

“Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions” (Nostra aetate) offered a positive outlook in approaching different faiths and their faithful, as they are accepted to be integrally part of the one Divine plan for humanity. As fifty years have passed after this Declaration was issued by Vatican Council II, it is time that the Church and other religions take stock of the situation and prepare together for a renewed understanding of religion and humanity. Humanity can progress towards a more cohesive and peaceful existence only if religions offer a collaborative front and infuse in other socio-political realities a sense of communion. Although the Church has not succeeded in proceeding beyond the Nostra aetate, she has already laid out a new path of openness, dialogue, and collaboration into which Christians as well as the faithful of other religions should be initiated so that a better understanding of religious realities and human co-existence could be facilitated. The way forward in this direction needs to be effectively supported by educating youngsters in being authentically religious and dynamically interreligious at the same time.

"An Indian Initiative in Christian Formation: Reflections on the Vision and Mission of Dharmārām for an Indian Church" captures a set of important ideals for which it has been established in 1957. In an attempt to recapture the noble vision and mission of Dharmārām and to instil a passion for the same among those who associate with this noble Indian venture in Christian formation, a few reflections are offered in two parts. While the first part, “Faith Seeking Harmony of Life at Dharmārām,” tries to dwell on an ideal understanding of the vision and mission of Dharmārām, the second part, “Seeking Divine Harmony: Stalwarts of Dharmārām Synthesis,” offers a review on the contributions of three important persons who have attempted to realize the Dharmārām dream in their own inimitable ways, thus, becoming shining stars on the Dharmārām horizons.