Minister lauds Indian Church’s contribution to nation

November 19, 2012 - An Indian minister has applauded the “invaluable" contribution of the Catholic Church in education, health and social services. “The Church’s contribution to humanity is something phenomenal. The way you have served the young by educating them and serving the poor, those who are afflicted by disease, physically challenged is commendable,” said Communication and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, while inaugurating an International seminar on “The Role of the Syro-Malabar Church in the Nation Building” on Saturday in New Delhi. The one-day seminar was part of five-day annual Bible Convention organized by Faridabad diocese, to conclude Syro-Malabar Catholic Church’s year-long celebrations of the Mission Year, launched August 15, 2011, to commemorate the golden jubilee of Chanda diocese, the first Syro Malabar mission outside Kerala state. Sibal said that nation building includes the protection of the soul of the nation. “We being part of one family no matter which faith or sects we belong to. We need to be united to keep alive the soul of the nation. If we allow the forces of destruction and negativism to prevail then we are not doing our duty,“ Sibal told the gathering comprising of church leaders, priests, nuns and lay people. In his presidential address, Cardinal George Alencherry, the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church said, “the Church in India visualizes peaceful coexistence and creative cooperation among believers of different religions.” Individuals and societies have the responsibility to create unity wherever they are, said the cardinal, Major Archbishop of Angamaly-Ernakulam. He urged the gathering to work together in inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and work for the unity of the nation on the basis of their strong national heritage. “The Mission Year,” he said, “gave a new energy and enthusiasm for the commitment of the Church to spread the message and witness of love.” “It created a new awareness of the missionary nature of the Church and missionary duty of every Christian,” the cardinal added.