Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "I ask from Saint Joseph of Nazareth a special prayer for the Church in India, especially for the nun who was violated, for the atrocities that happen in so many parts of our country and for the Middle East," said Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CCBI).
This morning, along with three other bishops and 36 priests, he co-celebrated the Mass for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, whose liturgical memory occurs today.
"Let us pray for our country," said Card Gracias, "that the values of the Gospel may permeate society. Without these inalienable values, life would no longer have any dignity."
"This evening," the cardinal told AsiaNews, "I shall also celebrate a Mass of reparation for the desecration of the convent of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary in West Bengal and the aggression against its superior". During the attack, the 72-year-old sister tried to stop the thieves, but was raped.
"We shall also pray for all the women of our country," he told AsiaNews, "for their safety and their dignity. Then we shall pray for minorities, farmers, Dalits, Adivasis and all vulnerable sections of society."