Be united to take India forward: Cardinal Alencherry

(March 12, 2012) India’s new cardinal, George Alencherry is urging every Indian to take the country forward by striving for unity amidst its rich diversity. He was speaking at a reception accorded him on Saturday at St. Mary’s Basilica in Kochi, in southern India’s Kerala state. As Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Cardinal Alencherry is the head of the worldwide eastern-rite Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, headquartered in Kerala. The prelate said that the truth, which is at the core of all religions, should be valued and given utmost importance through discussions and debates. “Our land is enriched with diversities, and in such a scenario, everyone should strive for unity, which alone can make our country march forward,” he said. He said that social and cultural differences must not divide people, since there are common threads that bind them together. Around 40 bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church and other denominations were present on the occasion. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio and Archbishop Thomas Mar Kurilos of Tiruvalla addressed the gathering. Minister of State for Agriculture K. V. Thomas and Excise Minister K. Babu were among those present at the ceremony.