Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Castel Gandolfo (Agenzia Fides) - "As part of its ancient heritage, India has a long and distinguished Christian presence which has contributed to Indian society and benefited your culture in innumerable ways, enriching the lives of countless fellow citizens, not just those who are Catholic". This was stated by the Holy Father Benedict XVI who received at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo a group of Bishops' of the Episcopal Indian Conference of the Latin Rite (Provinces of Agra, New Delhi, Bhopal and the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal), on the occasion of their visit ad Limina Apostolorum on September 19.
The Pope stressed that "the Church in India proclaims its faith and love to society at large", and puts these into action through a concern for all people: "Whether her members be rich or poor, old or young, male or female, of ancient Christian heritage or newly welcomed into faith, the Church cannot but see in the faith of her members, individually and collectively, a great sign of hope for India and for its future". "In particular, the Catholic Church is the friend of the poor - said Benedict XVI -. Like Christ, she welcomes without exception all who approach her to hear the divine message of peace, hope and salvation", and urged the clergy, religious and catechists to be attentive "to the diverse linguistic, cultural and economic circumstances of those whom they serve" .
"Even though, you dear Brothers, must take into account the challenges that the missionary nature of the Church entails- said Benedict XVI - you must always be prepared to spread the Kingdom of God and to walk in the footsteps of Christ who was himself misunderstood, despised, falsely accused and who suffered for the sake of truth. Do not be deterred when such trials arise in your ministry and in that of your priests and religious. Our belief in the certainty of the Christ’s resurrection gives us confidence and courage to face all that may come and to press forward, building the Kingdom of God, aided, as always, by the grace of the sacraments and through prayerful meditation on the Scriptures " .
Finally, the Holy Father praised the efforts the local Churches in India have made in commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first Apostolic Visit of Pope John Paul II. "During those memorable days - said Benedict XVI – he had held several notable encounters with leaders of other religious traditions. Manifesting his personal respect for his interlocutors, this blessed Pope gave an authentic witness to the value of interreligious dialogue". Renewing the sentiments expressed by Pope John Paul II, the Pope encouraged the Indian Bishops "to carry forward the Church's efforts to promote the well-being of Indian society through continued attention to the promotion of basic rights-rights shared by all humanity-and by inviting fellow Christians and the followers of other religious traditions to take up the challenge of affirming the dignity of each and every human person. This dignity, expressed in respecy for and promotion of the innate moral, spiritual and material rights of the person, is not merely a concession granted by any earthly authority. It is the gift of the Creator and stems from the fact that we are created in His image and likeness. I pray that the followers of Christ in India continue to be promoters of justice, bearers of peace, people of respectful dialogue and lovers of the truth about God and man". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 20/09/2011)
