The Church in India must play a positive role in the life of the nation says Pope
Benedict XVI
(February 02, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI sent a message for the biennial assembly of the Indian Bishops, which began in Bangalore, Karnataka State on Wednesday with the theme "The Church's Role for a Better India." The Papal Message sent by the Holy Father's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, conveyed the Pope’s hopes that their discussions, which will focus on how the Church in India may continue to play a positive role in the life of the nation, will bear much fruit since the Church assists humanity by 'reading the signs of the times and … interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. This message was read by Bishop George Punnakottil, Vice president of the CBCI. Some 170 bishops representing the 164 dioceses of India are assembled for the week long assembly which is scheduled to end on the 8th of February. Presiding over the opening Eucharistic celebration Wednesday, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, called for a planned pastoral response to the current challenges society and the Church in India are facing. He urged the need for patient dialogue, charity and openness. The Episcopal council president, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, welcomed the participants to the plenary assembly and highlighted the relevance of the theme chosen for study and reflection. He described the Church as the conscience of the nation. In his address Father Rudolf Heredia, a Jesuit social scientist has challenged Catholic bishops in India to review and revise the Church’s works to help create a better India. “We need a renewal of our vision and mission to inspire an agenda for action,” he said. The challenge in India now is to offer hope to millions who seem disillusioned with democracy’s failure to bring justice to the poor and the marginalized, he added. According to him, the current social unrest and corruption in India are the outcome of the rulers pursuing in the name of good governance a “hidden agenda of growth” that only benefited them. In this context, the Church should give “prophetic witnessing” not individually but through its vast network of institutions, he said. The assembly also congratulated Cardinal-designate George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, who will be created cardinal February 18.
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