Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bhopal (Agenzia Fides) - From a place like Bhopal, marked by sorrow over the tragic incident of the explosion of the Union Carbide 25 years ago, comes an impulse towards ecumenism among Christians in India in preparation for Christmas.
As Fides learns from the local church in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, in presiding over a recent ecumenical meeting, stressed that Christians are called to be united to face together, in peace and harmony, the many challenges that now present themselves in the social, political, and religious context of India.
A land and population like that of Bhopal, marked by the disaster of 1985, knows the meaning of suffering, discouragement, pessimism, distrust of the state, etc. and raise their lament to God, who is never absent amidst humanity's greatest sufferings. "God is present and accompanies those who suffer," emphasized the Christian leaders from different faiths gathered in Bhopal, and "it is the duty of Christians to make His presence known, testifying to his love in contemporary world."
The appeal of the Archbishop Cornelius was centered on the necessity of prayer, "so that all may be one," and mutual respect, which is necessary to build ecumenism and unity.
The meeting was organized in view of Christmas, described by everyone as "the common feast in which God shows himself as Emmanuel, God-with-us", and in preparation for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which will be celebrated January 18-26, 2010.
Another episode that testifies to the strengthening of ecumenism in India regards the state of Orissa: Christians in the state have launched an ecumenical forum called "Sampradayik Hins Prapidita Sangathana" ("Association of Victims of Inter-Community Violence"), established in the Kandhamal area, where anti-Christian violence has been the strongest. The Association, which will work closely with other bodies of civil society, intends to support survivors of the violence and protect their legal testimony, as well as provide them with social assistance. Among the objectives mentioned were legality, justice, and social peace. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/12/2009)
