Growing materialism destroyed love and tolerence : Patriarch

Kochi, Oct 19 (UNI) Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka today said growing materialism and selfishness in the present world were destroying the bonds of love and tolerence, which previously existed among different nations and people.

Addressing a huge gathering of around one lakh people after inaugurating the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of Mor Baselios Thomas I of India here, the Patriarch said '' some nations and people were becoming richer and richer and some poorer and poorer, and this had given rise to conflicts between nations and within a country.'' The world was changing very fast and the advancement in the field of science had enabled people to communicate easily creating more materialism and took people away from the path of God, he said.

'' The increased knowledge in science and technology should not take us away from God, but rather, take us closer to God who blesses us with such knwoledge,'' he noted.

The Patriarch exhorted the political and religious leaders, social workers to play a positive role by promoting and ensuring better understanding, better unity and co-operation among all people.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, State Ministers Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Mons Joseph, M A Baby, Opposition leader Oommen Chandy, KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala, BJP leader O Rajagopal and various heads of the Jacobite Syrain Christian Church attended the public meeting.

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