Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mumbai (Fides Service) - “It is no wonder that in this predominant non-Christian country there was a tremendous interest in Pope John Paul II, extensive media coverage of the event and glowing tributes paid to the Bishop of Rome”, Bishop Thomas Dabre Vasai diocese in the state of Maharasthra, west India, said in a report sent to Fides.
“It is enough to look at what the Pope did for India. He came here twice, in 1986 and in 1999, he beatified our Mother Teresa an example of India’s great spiritual tradition, he gave the Church in India three Cardinals, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Cardinal Ivan Dias, Cardinal Varkey Vithaiatyl, he offered immediate help during natural disasters. He created new Oriental Rite dioceses, underscoring the legitimacy and significance of the variety of Rites in the one universal Catholic. These are all highly significant acts”, said the Bishop adding that “India has a rich mosaic of cultures. The Church in India can benefit immensely from this and make her mission more effective and intelligible to our people. Also traditional Indian religions have promoted noble, human, spiritual and eternal values such as faith in God, the indestructibility of the soul and the eternal destiny of man, the importance of worship asceticism and prayer. The mission of the Catholic Church demands that inter-religious be promoted and in this field there was an encounter between the Pope and the message of Christ, with Indian tradition which Pope John Paul II recognised in the Encyclical Fides et ratio (n.72). At a time when fundamentalism and fanaticism is growing in India - the Bishop concluded - “the Holy Father’s words and deeds helped build harmony, peace and cooperation. His memory will inspire the Church and the country to work for a society more liberated and more attentive to spiritual values
e libera”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/4/2005 righe 21 parole 217)
