Poona Bishop Thomas Dabre hails Pope Francis

Poona (India), 16 April 2013: ‘Here in the Diocese of Poona, India we were all delighted to receive the good news of joy of your election as Bishop of Rome and Shepherd of the universal Church. We offer you our heartiest congratulations. We thank and praise God for giving us a shepherd after his own heart,’ wrote Thomas Dabre, bishop of Poona diocese in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra, in a letter to Pope Francis.

‘Our joy is redoubled by your words, homilies and addresses and by your life-style. India, according to the latest UN report has 42% poor people who are living on a dollar or two a day. We therefore are heartened by your deep concern for the poor’ the bishop explained.

The Catholics in India are less than 2%, i.e.1.8%. We are living in the midst of 97% people of other religions, Therefore the Church in India has adopted interreligious dialogue as a priority. So we feel encouraged by your express openness to other religions, added bishop Dabre.

Talking about the Indian situation, Bishop Dabre said: ‘You have shown by your words and actions that the Church must be with the people. Pastors and ministers must go out to the people with the love and compassion of Christ. Here in India, the Church has been promoting small Christian communities. Through these communities we promote the Gospel-based faith-life of the people, spirit of love and unity, care and concern, action for social justice and peace and harmony among people of various religions.’

We enthusiastically appreciate your statement to the journalists to whom you clearly said, “In fact, the Church, although it is certainly also a human historical institution with all that it entails, does not have a political nature; but is essentially spiritual: it is the people of God, the holy people of God who walk toward the encounter with Jesus Christ. Only by putting oneself in this perspective can one fully explain how the Catholic Church works … Christ is the centre, the fundamental reference, the heart of the Church! Without Him, neither Peter nor the Church would exist or have a reason for being.”

Assuring the Pope their loyalty, collaboration, affection and prayerful support, the bishop concluded his letter adding ‘we will strive to imitate your ways and implement your vision for the Church in our times’.

Source: ICAN