Religion should focus on social dimension of life: Vatican

Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Vatican ambassador to India, has emphasised the need to add social dimension to religion to enrich human life.

"Religion should seriously take up the social dimension of human life. Only sincere dialogue between religions can save our culture," he said while inaugurating the new post-graduate block at Jnana Deep Vidyapeeth (JDV) in Pune last night.

Pennacchio also attended an ecumenical prayer meeting where he stressed on the progress in communion among churches and efforts towards unity.

The academic block at JDV, a pontifical institution that caters to the philosophical and religious formation of 750 Christian leaders, is dedicated to father Joseph Neuner, a renowned theologian.

During the prayer meeting Pennacchio conveyed the Apostolic blessings of pope Benedict XVI, according to a release.