(Nov.07,2008):- Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Vatican’s Oriental Congregation
called for religious freedom when he reached on Thursday - Kochi, the capital of
the southern Indian State of Kerala, where he is on a five-day visit. “We ask for
freedom of religion, to live in freedom and peace," Cardinal Sandri told a gathering
at Kochi’s St. Mary's Basilica, where he was accorded a reception by Syro-Malabar
Church. He said this in the background of continuing tension in Orissa state, where
anti-Christian violence since August end, has killed some 60 people and displaced
about 50,000 Christians. “Orissa is a name alive in the heart and lips of us, as well
as the people of Europe. We are with the persecuted church," said the cardinal, who
heads the congregation in charge of the Oriental Churches. Cardinal Sandri is
scheduled to chair the Nov. 9 concluding function of a 10-day program in Palai, to
thank the newly canonized St. Alphonsa, a native of Palai. Former Indian President
APJ Abdul Kalam is scheduled to be the chief guest. India’s Apostolic nuncio Archbishop
Pedro Lopez Quintana, Major Archbishop Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil of Syro-Malbar
Church and bishops from other denominations and rites are also expected to attend.