Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - "We express with firm and unequivocal words, the disappointment of the Indian Church for this film considered offensive towards the Christian faith, but with peaceful words. We do not want Catholics to follow the path of violent protests, one should always follow the path of the Gospel, of gentleness and dialogue": This is what His Exc. Mgr. Felix Machado, Bishop of Vasai, President of the Episcopal Commission for ecumenism, says commenting on the upcoming release of the Bollywood film "Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal" ("Laugh, be happy"), whose content is blasphemous towards the Christian faith. The Bishop, a former undersecretary of the Pontifical
Council for Interreligious Dialogue, is in Bangalore on the occasion of the Council of the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). "It is necessary to respect the symbols and everything that constitutes the identity of a religious community," he remarks. "We will talk during the Bishops’ meeting in progress – he continues - I think an official position of the Episcopal Conference is necessary to show displeasure. We will ask for desecrating scenes to be eliminated."
The Bishop explains to Fides: "Sometimes minority groups are those who mock religious communities, or carry out actions lightly. I do not think there is hatred towards the Christian faith. But freedom of expression must always be combined with respect for human life, which is sacred. In India we Christians are a small minority, and sometimes this penalizes us. Episodes like this are not good for humanity and religious harmony in the world." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/09/2012)
