Indian Christians pray for Pope Benedict, Conclave
February 22, 2013 - Christians in India on Friday observed a day of prayer for Pope
Benedict XVI who is standing down on Feb. 28, and also for the process of electing
his successor. The initiative was called by Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop
of Bombay and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). The
cardinal chose Friday, the Feb. 22 feast of the Chair of St. Peter to express the
deep gratitude of the Church in India to the Holy Father for his nearly 8-year pontificate.
In this spiritual solidarity with the outgoing Pope and the Catholic Church awaiting
his successor, every Christian institution, convent and monastery was urged to dedicate
an hour of adoration at 6.30 pm on Friday. In a statement on Wednesday, Cardinal
Gracias expressed high esteem for Pope Benedict saying, “We will miss his outstanding
leadership in these challenging times.” The five Indian Cardinal-electors, Oswald
Gracias, Telesphore Toppo, George Alencherry, Baselios Mar Cleemis and Ivan Dias,
will be among some 117 others who will elect the successor to Pope Benedict during
the Conclave in the Vatican, for which a date has not be set as yet. Noting the extremely
important role the Indian cardinal electors will be playing, Cardinal Gracias urged
for prayers for Pope Benedict and the cardinals in their sacred duty.