Card Gracias: together with Saint John Paul II in the defence of life
The archbishop of Mumbai opened a national symposium titled ‘A call to freedom and justice in the family and society: ethical concerns and pastoral approaches’ on the liturgical feast day of the Polish saint, the "pope of the family, the basis for the Church and its work.”
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Saint John Paul II was "the pope of the family, the basis for the Church and its work. According to the pope, the future of humanity passes through the family,” said Card Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, at the opening of a National Symposium for the 20th anniversary of the Diocesan Human Life Committee (DHLC).
The opening of the meeting, attended by 500 delegates from all over India, was set for 22 October the liturgical feast day of Saint John Paul II and the 39th anniversary of Karol Wojtyła’s election as pope.
"Today we celebrate the inauguration of the symposium entitled ‘A call to freedom and justice in the family and society: ethical concerns and pastoral approaches,” Card Gracias said during the homily at the Mass that opened the symposium.
Focus on the family directly links the pontificate of John Paul II to that of Pope Francis. "Amoris Laetitiae was built progressively on the many encyclicals of Pope John Paul II, who gave many insights on the family."
For the prelate, the challenges of today's world, such as "relativism, individualism, indifference, inability to make permanent commitments, selfishness . . . can only be addressed through the values that permeate the family and that grow in it. The family is an important agent in the work of evangelisation."
The archbishop met the Polish pope numerous times. "He was defined by his 'personalist philosophy', the tireless defence and promotion of the family, and a powerful emphasis on the dignity of the human person".
“Once, I was very impressed during a visit by John Paul II to Verapolly (India), when the pontiff woke up at three am to pray. He entrusted himself entirely to his friendship with Christ."
“The family must be nurtured continuously and supported by the source of the liturgy and the sacraments,” Card Gracias said. “The pastoral care of families should be a priority for the Church."
Finally, "lets us join Saint John Paul II in the defence of the culture of life and the promotion of a more human civilisation. We call on the Holy Family of Nazareth to protect our families and entrust the symposium to Our Lady and Saint Joseph. Saint John Paul II, pray for us!"
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