Author:
Publication: Catholic
World News Service
Date: September 20,
2000
As he addressed the opening
session of a meeting of the Indian bishops' conference, Cardinal Jozef
Tomko emphasized the importance of faith in Jesus Christ, "man and God,"
and of work for religious freedom.
Cardinal Tomko, the prefect
of the Vatican Congregation for Evangelization, spoke to the bishops of
India as they gathered in Bangalore for their annual meeting. The
meeting drew over 100 bishops, representing all of India's dioceses.
These bishops also represented the three rites of the Catholic Church active
in India: Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara.
The Vatican prelate stressed
that the birth of Christ is "a unique event in all of human history," and
still constitutes "truly sensational news for our time." The good news
of the Incarnation, he continued, "should be proclaimed to every living
person, to all men and women of all ages." Thus, "bearing witness to Jesus
Christ is the supreme service that the Church can offer to the peoples
of Asia."
Cardinal Tomko went on
to say that accusations of forced conversions by Catholic missionaries
in India are "completely false." As he put it, "the Church proposes; she
does not impose anything." He then went on to say that the government should
protect "the fundamental and universal human right" to religious freedom.
The assembly of the Catholic
bishops of India will conclude on September 24 with a public celebration.
The Fides news agency reports that Church officials expect 10,000 participants
in that celebration, including some prominent public figures such as the
government's defense minister, George Fernandes.
