Indian Church’s continued pledge for women’s uplift

(March 9, 2010) As the world observed the 100^th International Women’s Day on Monday, a leading official of the Catholic Church of India assured the Church’s continuing and widespread action in favour of women’s dignity and their rightful place in society. "The focus on the dignity and role of women in Church and society in India is an important priority in the ministry of the Church,” said Archbishop Albert D'Souza of Agra, the Secretary General of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India, CBCI. He spoke to AsiaNews about the increasing role that women play in Indian society and the commitment of the Church against discrimination. He picked out two outstanding figures as role models for women - St. Alphonsus and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. While expressing pride that India has a woman president and other women in powerful positions, the archbishop regretted that the nation also has vast numbers of marginalized women among dalits, tribals, backward castes and minority groups who suffer much due to poverty, ill-health, lack of access to literacy, hygiene and potable water. Archbishop Albert D’Souza pledged the Indian Church’s commitment in empowering and bringing these women into the mainstream society through its educational, health and social ministries and using all its resources to work towards eliminating discrimination against women.