Indian priests follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, man’s liberator: Cardinal Gracias

(June 20, 2009) On the occasion of the Year of Priests Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Bishops’ Conference of India said India is a country of great religious tradition in which priests are acknowledged and respected as men of prayer and spirituality; men who have dedicated their lives to God, who bear witness through their life and by living the values of the Gospel. In India priests spend their lives for others and for us priestly vocations are a huge blessing.The cardinal inaugurated the Year with a solemn celebration in the Clergy Home in Bandra, which houses Mumbai’s retired priests. He chose this place to express appreciation for their years of priestly ministry, secondly, for their apostleship of prayer for the Universal Church; and finally respecting the retired priests for their wealth of wisdom that stems from their pastoral ministry.This year, which is dedicated to the priesthood, is a gift because it allows the Church to continue priestly training, enhance their spirituality and service orientation and reinforce their human qualities so that they can be more effective ministers, he said. In India, religion is a way of life; it is an integral part of India’s traditions. For most people, religion permeates every aspect of life, and our priests and bishops play a significant role in people’s lives and in society. There are many challenges for priests in India. People look up to priests for guidance and help in the social sphere, education and health. They look up for spiritual guidance from a man who serves, who is at the service of both God and Man, he added. Unfortunately in many places priests have been targeted when they minister to empower the most marginalised and backward groups in society. Our priests have been toiling selflessly for the poorest of the poor, for Dalits and Tribals, trying to empower them through education, make them self-reliant and clothe them with human dignity. The liberative mission of Catholic priests is always opposed by those who want to keep the people in bondage, said Cardinal Gracias.