ASIA/INDIA - The Indian Bishops: "The Church has a crucial role in the country's future"

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - "The Church plays a crucial role for the future of the country and will continue the path of dialogue and cooperation with the state, institutions, with civil society": this is what His Exc. Mgr. Albert D'Souza, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference said during the XXX Assembly of Indian Bishops, which is being held from 1 to 8 February in Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka, on the theme "The role of the Church for a better India" . In a report Fides received, making an overview of the socio-political situation of the country, the Secretary notes that in India "there is a great desire for transparency in public life, there is a demand for better opportunities for growth and development, to build a strong and vibrant nation". This will be possible, said Mgr. D'Souza, "only with a collaborative effort by all the forces present in the country", and the Catholic Church will be one of them.
The Assembly of Bishops is attended by Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council "Justice and Peace" and Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India.
As reported to Fides, the Nuncio highlighted the pluralism of the Indian Church, where the Catholic community "work together for the development of the nation through its large network of service institutions and organizations". "It is important to preserve this precious heritage of the Church in India, while adapting itself to the modernization of the country", he remarked. Archbishop Pennacchio recalled in particular the Church's task to "encourage small Christian communities, befriend the poor and marginalized and in this context especially the Dalits Christians so that they get their right to equality in the Constitution".
According to Cardinal Peter Turkson, if the Church in India wants to work "for a better India", it must gain "the trust of all people and become trustworthy", so the Bishops have to "be as reliable as Moses", a man, God and the people placed one’s trust in.
Recalling that the Assembly is an important moment of reflection and planning, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, President of the Episcopal Conference, urged the Church to "not be afraid to admit their mistakes". The Cardinal expressed serious concern over the emerging stark reality of "the two Indias", a rich India, and the other poor and marginalized, even noting the growing tendency of religious intolerance: these issues, he said, represent an opportunity and a challenge for the Church. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 02/02/2012)