The Church in Asia walking with Pope Francis: Card Gracias

Mumbai, 6 April 2013: "The election of Pope Francis is an experience of resurrection" because, together with Benedict XVI's renunciation and the insecurity felt by the Church, it bears witness to the meaning of Easter. "If we stay with the Gospel, the Risen Lord will always be with us," said Card Oswald Gracias in his reflection. The archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) shared with AsiaNews his thoughts about Pope Francis, whose invitation not to be discouraged and not lose hope touches "in a personal way" the Church in India and Asia.

Pope Benedict XVI's renunciation brought a great amount of uncertainty in the life of the Church. For me, it was personally distressing! But in just five ballots, we had come to a consensus and the required two-thirds majority for Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. The election of Pope Francis in five ballots was an experience of resurrection. The Lord is with the Church, the Lord gives hope and empowers us with Resurrected Life in each of our own lives and we are enabled to live in the newness of life, to live and share the Gospel within and around us.

The election of Pope Francis is certainly an experience of resurrection. After feeling despondent and confused, if only we trust in the Lord, He will show us the way. For, as disciples of Jesus, we can never be discouraged or feel defeated. If we stay with the Gospel, the Risen Lord will always be with us. This is the message of Easter.

For the Church in India, the pontificate of Pope Francis, as it is unfolding, resonates for us in India and Asia. For centuries, the Church in India has tirelessly served the poorest of the poor: the disadvantaged, the weakest in society, the vulnerable and the defenseless. The Church in India understands with words fulfilled the Mission of Jesus to serve the poorest with the Love of Jesus. Pope Francis' deep love for the poor, his strong defense of human rights and his great openness to dialogue came out clearly in his sharing and conversations.

For the Church in India and Asia, in the face of misunderstanding, suspicions and intolerance, the pope's message of not being discouraged, for us means to be tireless in our efforts to work for peace and dialogue, tranquility in spite of obstacles and difficulties. The Church must continue her mission of journeying.

We are a pilgrim people, a pilgrim Church, and with the luminous light of the Resurrection, in our daily pilgrimage, we are being renewed even as we pilgrims go onwards confessing Jesus to the world.

In the Year of Faith, we live our faith more authentically with the Resurrection, proclaim our faith more confidently, and strengthen ourselves to transform our own lives with the power of the resurrected Jesus.

Source: AsiaNews