Mangaluru: Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha Hosts ‘Bandhutva’ to Promote Global Peace and Communal Harmony

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Mangaluru : In a powerful response to the growing global discord and social divides, the Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, hosted the annual ‘Bandhutva’ Christmas celebration on December 26, 2025, at the Bishop’s House in Kodialbail. The gathering served as a significant platform for interfaith dialogue, bringing together a distinguished assembly of political leaders, civil administrators, and religious heads. The event underscored a collective vision of peace and mutual respect, beginning with a prayer service led by Rev. Sandeep Theophil and soulful carols performed by the Kulur Church choir.

The Five-Finger Metaphor for Unity: In a thought-provoking keynote address, Bishop Saldanha utilised a “five-finger” metaphor to illustrate the necessity of religious harmony. Comparing the world’s major faiths—Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism—to the fingers of a single hand, he noted that while each remains unique, they must work in unison for humanity to function. He made a poignant plea for the protection of the vulnerable, pointing out that just as the weakest finger is often adorned with rings, society must “adore” and accompany marginalised and minority communities. He warned that if humanity continues to nurture hatred and warfare, it risks turning the world from a “Garden of Eden” into a “hell” for many.

Rejecting the Poison of Hatred: Joining the call for harmony, Shri S. Renga Rajan, IRS, Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals), described Mangaluru as a historic beacon of peaceful coexistence. Invoking the wisdom of Swami Vivekananda, he described communal hatred as a “poison” that should never be nurtured. He urged the citizens of Mangaluru to take practical steps toward peace, such as refusing to forward divisive social media messages and instead sharing stories of brotherhood with the younger generation to ensure children grow up with deep-rooted respect for all faiths.

A Celebration of Achievement and Fellowship: The evening also featured a significant felicitation ceremony, where Mr. Ivan and Mrs. Lavita Rodrigues, the parents of Indian international cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues, were honoured for their contributions to sports and society. The event was graced by several dignitaries, including MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, and Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. L. Dharma. The celebration concluded with the ceremonial cutting of a Christmas cake and a fellowship dinner, reinforcing the ‘Bandhutva’ initiative’s core goal of nurturing universal fraternity and interfaith bonds.