Strive for betterment of people: Nuncio

May 10, 2012: Opening the Mission Congress of the Church in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennachhio has said that Christianity is a “seed of hope” and a force for the causes of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity. He also said that religion should strive for the betterment of all people, irrespective of religious alliance, and asked people to work for a just society and be the “face of the poor”.

Stating that corruption was a great divide among men, he urged every Christian to be a model of sacrifice and generosity and strive for social and economic equality. The prelate stressed the role of the young in serving humanity and asked them to imbibe the virtues of Mother Teresa and become dedicated champions of mankind.

He told the more than 4,000 delegates gathered at Vijayawada that the Mission Congress has been envisioned with a three-fold theme of missionary, religious, and social dimensions integrated to spread the message of peace and happiness through the word of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Gali Bali of Guntur, chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Bishops' Council, emphasised the importance of both faith and reason, and called for a greater sense of community and social interaction in the days of rabid consumerism and individualism.