November 10, 2012: A voluntary association of Catholic priests in India has expressed
the “need for a positive political involvement” for upholding the rights of the poor
and the marginalized in the country.
At a 3-day seminar organized in Bangalore
from November 6-8, the Catholic Priests’ Conference of India (CPCI) said as followers
of Jesus Christ “we cannot but be political.”
The seminar was based on the
theme “Prophetic priesthood towards a new world.” Jesuit Father Ambrose Pinto told
the seminar that we need to be political for empowering and mobilizing the poor and
the marginalized and not for “maintaining status quo or for entering into partisan
squabbles.”
The seminar was organized as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations
of the CPCI.
The CPCI was founded in 1987 to respond to a long felt need among
the diocesan clergy in India to come together in solidarity to search for deeper meanings
of commitment and for mutual support.
The celebrations included interactions
with the founders of the CPCI to “relive its beginnings and to share experiences in
different fields of their prophetic ministry.”
The members evaluated the past
activities of the CPCI and came to the conclusion that it was still very much relevant
and that its aims and objectives make the lives of priests “meaningful and challenging.”
The
CPCI also appreciates and encourages with awards and trophies diocesan priests who
pioneer and continue creative and alternative ministries for the transformation of
the society in accordance with the gospel values.
Speaking on the occasion,
Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore congratulated the CPCI on its silver jubilee
and urged the national body to join hands with the Conference of Diocesan Priests
of India, an organization promoted by the bishops and priests to work in the church
as a united force.
The CPCI, headquartered in Bangalore is a member of the
International Assembly of Priests.