TROY MICHIGAN, April 19, 2005: Navya Shastra, a global Hindu organization of scholars, practitioners and priests with members in over ten countries, has congratulated the Catholic Church for selecting Joseph Ratzinger–now Benedict XVI–as its new Pope. However, the organization expressed concern over Ratzinger’s stance towards Hinduism. “Ratzinger has described Hindu meditative practices as ‘auto-erotic’ and has stated that the Hindu doctrine of karma is “morally cruel,” said Vikram Masson, Navya Shastra Co-Chairman, “clearly he is misinformed about the central practices and tenets which bind the world’s 800 million Hindus,” he added. At a time when religions must work together to spiritually regenerate an increasingly secular planet, such doctrinal narrowness and lack of understanding of other traditions will only serve a divisive function. “What is needed now is ecumenism and mutual trust,” said Dr. Jaishree Gopal, Navya Shastra Co-Chairman, “we hope that the new Pope comes to understand this because religious difference and competition is causing mounting global conflict,” she added.
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