Card. Gracias: We mourn the death of former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a friend of Mother Teresa
The mourning of the Indian Bishops' Conference expressed by its president. The condolences to the whole political party. Vajpayee was "a great friend of the Christian community" and dreamed of India as "a multi-religious nation". He wanted a country free from discrimination and welcoming towards minorities. The memory of John Paul II's visit to India and the appreciation of Vajpayee.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "I am very saddened by the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Church in India mourns the death of Atalji, a great loss for the nation and for me". This was stated to AsiaNews by Oswald Gracias, president of the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBCI), commenting on the death of the former prime minister, who died yesterday at the age of 93. According to the Cardinal, the politician "was a noteworthy leader, with a vision for our country. He worried about people, especially the most disadvantaged ".
In a statement published this morning on behalf of all the Indian bishops, Card. Gracias adds that "the Christian community lost a friend, who was attentive to his needs and patiently listened to his problems". He also reveals that the late premier was a great admirer of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Among the messages of condolences published in the last hours, including those of Narendra Modi (current premier and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party founded by Vajpayee) and Rahul Gandhi (head of the opposition party Congress Party): the first states that the BJP "was built brick by brick thanks to the work of Atal Ji "; the second claims that "India has lost one of its great sons". Below is the complete text of the Cardinal's statement (translated by AsiaNews).
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference is deeply saddened by the passing away of our beloved former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In his death, India has lost one of its tallest leaders and the world bids good bye to one of its greatest Statesmen. The Christian Community has lost a friend who was attentive to its needs and gave a patient hearing to its concerns.
We will remember him as a great orator who charmed the Indian public for decades with a wonderful mixture of poetry and prose, of quotes and shayris, delivered with humour, wit and a well-modulated voice. What marked him out was his graceful dealings with all. He will be remembered as a person who cultivated warm human relationships cutting across religious, political or regional divides.
The nation will remember him as a leader who yearned for a country where everyone lived in peace and harmony. I recall the words he spoke in his last Independence Day Speech as Prime minister, “India is a multi-religious nation. It is against both its nature and culture to practice discrimination or to do injustice to anybody on the grounds of faith. We should always care for the minorities and be attentive towards their welfare.”
I met our late Prime Minister on several occasions. Every meeting was a delight because of the warmth of his person, his sharp intellect and his passion for the country. He wanted an India where no was one was excluded, no one suffered want, and everyone enjoyed the benefits of progress. In my various meetings with the great man, I always had the feeling of being in the presence of a gracious gentlemen full of warmth, most reasonable in our discussions, and always eager to find a way forward.
I remember with joy and nostalgia the meeting between Mr. Vajpayjee and Pope St. John Paul II during the Holy Father’s visit to India in 1999. He thanked the Pope for being in India on the happy occasion of Deepavali, the festival of lights which signifies the victory of good over evil. He observed that perhaps the papal visit added more light to the festival.
The Catholic Church also remembers with affection the very special admiration Mr. Vajpayee had for St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Mr Vajpayee said about the Saintly mother: “At a time when humankind is being increasingly driven by selfish motives, she gave selflessly to those whom society has forsaken and forgotten. In the age of cynicism she was a symbol of understanding faith.”
We mourn the demise of a leader who could dream for India with these words: "I have a vision of India: an India free of hunger and fear, an India free of illiteracy and want. I dream of an India that is prosperous, strong and caring. An India, that regains a place of honour in the comity of great nations," We thank God for sending among us such a great soul, a gentleman to the core, a kind hearted person in word and action, one who had friends and admirers across the political and ideological spectrum. May God grant him Eternal Rest.
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17/08/2018 10:34
24/10/2019 15:36
