VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Nonviolence is not a strategic tool; it is the firm conviction that evil can be conquered with love and truth, said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. The cardinal, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, prayed that all religions that encourage nonviolence would work together “to promote truth, light, mutual respect, freedom and harmony.” The cardinal made the comments in the Vatican’s annual message to Hindus celebrating Diwali, the festival of light, which culminates Oct. 28 this year. Cardinal Tauran said Christians and Hindus should work together in favor of nonviolence. He said religion was often blamed for problems and conflicts in society, but “we know that it is rather the manipulation of religion, contrary to its fundamental beliefs, that is used to carry out so many forms of violence.” The cardinal made no reference to the recent wave of anti-Christian violence in the eastern Indian state of Orissa; at least 58 people have been killed and 100 church buildings and thousands of homes have been destroyed.