Cardinal Oswald Gracias calls on Sonia Gandhi

October 19, 2013 - Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), on Wednesday paid a visit to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition, and discussed with her certain issues of concern for the Catholic Church in the country. Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, is one of the eight cardinals Pope Francis chose to advise him on reforming the governance of the Church. He was on an official visit to the CBCI Centre in New Delhi on Wednesday, when he met Sonia Gandhi, who is president also of the Indian National Congress party heading the UPA. The Cardinal appreciated the key role played by her in getting the Food Security Bill passed by Parliament, saying it is a major step by the UPA Government to care for the poor and the downtrodden. Cardinal Gracias also discussed with her the issues of Dalit Christians, certain clauses of the Right to Information Act and some sections of the proposed National Land Reform Policy. The Cardinal said that the Christian Community does not ask for any special favour, but only justice and equality and protection for minorities, guaranteed by the Constitution of our Country. Sonia Gandhi assured the Indian prelate that his concerns will be seriously considered and duly addressed. She also appreciated the services of the Christian Community in many areas, especially in the fields of education and health care. Cardinal Oswald Gracias pledged the Catholic Church’s support to all the efforts of the Government, aimed at the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden. The Church’s primary concern, he said, is for the poor and the needy. (Source: CBCI)