Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic community in India welcomed the election of Pratibha Patil former governor of Rajasthan as India's first woman president with satisfaction, congratulations and a call to preserve the secular nature of the nation.
The electoral commission announced that in the July 19 elections 72 year old Patil leader of the Congress Party, won a clear victory over outgoing vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat aged 84. After her victory was announced President Patil said: “I thank the people of India, every man and woman. This is a victory of the principles which our people support”. President Patil, close to the Nerhu-Gandhi family, was strongly supported by Sonia Gandhi, not without polemic in the party and the coalition.
India's Catholic community welcomed the new president who has always sustained the rights of minorities and in fact as governor of Rajasthan, Patil refused to ratify the anti-conversion law approved by the central parliament and optional in the separate States.
Cardinal Telesphore Toppo president of the Indian Bishops Conference sent a message of congratulations to the new President asking her to continue to defend the secular values of India and to continue to guarantee the rights of all citizens in her new role. The Cardinal said he appreciated the new President's promise to promote “equality of gender and equal opportunities, brotherhood among all citizens regardless of caste, culture or religion”.
“India's Catholic believe that if the country lives its secular nature then there will be peace among its people of different religions. Your election gives us new courage to continue to build up our nation" Cardinal Toppo wrote in the message, assuring the new President of the local Church's “full support and cooperation” and wishing her all the best and blessings for her demanding office. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/7/2007 righe 27 parole 271)
