Cardinal Gracias hopes new state government will promote inclusive culture ‎

"Poor, minorities, the marginalized and the elderly must be the priority, to establish an inclusive culture". This is what Indian Card. Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay hopes for from the new government of Maharashtra state, formed by the Hindu ultra-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Oct. 15 state elections rejected the Congress party’s 15-year rule, handing the BJP an absolute majority.  Card. Gracias was an invitee to the Oct. 31 swearing-in ceremony of new chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.  Speaking to AsiaNews, the prelate said that sitting among other religious leaders he felt proud and grateful to God for Indi’s secular democracy.  He hoped that Maharashtra’s new government will “give new impetus to inter-religious dialogue and foster a dialogue of culture, creating the climate of harmony and  peaceful coexistence in our religious pluralistic society,” and that all peoples may join together to promote whatever leads to unity, love, truth, justice and peace.  While particularly urging for a quick solution to the plight of farmers' suicides in the state, Cardinal Gracias pledged the Catholic Church’s continued commitment in education and healthcare in order to contribute to social welfare and nation-building. ‎(Source: AsiaNews)