Panaji, Dec 30 : Goa archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has quoted extensively from the Sama Veda, an ancient Hindu scripture, in his pre-New Year address to underline the importance of 'unity of mankind'. In his address, which was released to the media Thursday, the spiritual leader of the Catholics in Goa, said the genuine development of people depend on the important recognition that the human race is a single family working together in true communion for its common good. Catholics are an overwhelming majority in the 26 percent Christian population of Goa, which is often considered a model secular state and which in Ferrao's words - inspired from the ancient scriptures - is like a "one big family". "The Maha Upanishad states in chapter 6, verse 72, that the entire world is but one big family: Vasudhaiva kutumbakam. And the Church has consistently proclaimed and defended this universal value of unity of humankind throughout her history," Ferrao said. ...
