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Message To Indian Bishops: Emphasis Christ

Message To Indian Bishops: Emphasis Christ

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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.
 


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