Cardinal Gracias: 61st anniversary of independence, religious conflict, and the economic crisis
New Delhi (AsiaNews) - The 61st anniversary of India's independence, which occurs tomorrow, August 15, comes at a delicate and perhaps decisive moment: for more than a month, Jammu-Kashmir has been rocked by protests and clashes between Hindus and Muslims, and yesterday in the suburbs of New Delhi people demonstrating over farming issues clashed with police, with at least four dead and dozens wounded. Inflation is threatening the economic development of a country with hundreds of millions of people still living in poverty. Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, head of the Indian Catholic bishops' conference, talks exclusively with AsiaNews about the anniversary and about the future of the world's largest democracy.
"The Indian economy", he observes, "is today the second fastest growing economy in the world, India, is poised to become a global player in trade, technology, And yet, India, home to more than 1 billion people, remains beset by poverty, communalism and corruption".
"The unborn must be protected and the right to life defended. Our women must be given their rightful status in society and in their homes. No one should go to bed hungry at night, people must have freedom of religion, and the security of the minorities must be assured".
"Our country still needs to be made aware of the needs of the marginalized and the poor of society. Like in the poem written by Rabindranath Tagore: 'into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake'. My prayer for India that each of us work for the common good to promote human life and especially in these times to protect and ‘care for creation’".
"The Church in India on Independence Day affirms our commitment to working for the common good, our solidarity with the poor who are often without the resources. It is unfortunate that there exists a divide between the rich and poor in our country, and the Indian Church, on the 61st anniversary of our independence , continues working selflessly in the remotest rural areas without any discrimination of caste and creed to help the poorest of the poor and the marginalized in society, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care, and those without hope".
Among the current problems, Cardinal Gracias includes "corruption, which has retarded progress. People suffer from a general sense of their promises being unfulfilled".
"India’s unity has been described as unity in diversity, having a glow of the rainbow with all its vibrant colours all contributing to her richness and wealth. But unfortunately, in the recent past the country has been witness to divisive forces aiming to destroy this unity. Sadly, the problems of terrorism, rise of communalism, casteism and social disharmony, are challenges that India faces today. The Church in India all over the country prays that these evils may be rooted out, that fraternal unity and trust may bond every Indian together".
"Tomorrow is the feast of the Assumption, and the ultimate victory over evil this is our hope, the hope for India. We know that India will prevail not just as a global economic power, but also as a moral compass for the world. That our freedom will be a reality, our poor and marginalized will no longer be marginalized, but they will be empowered to make their contribution to society. This is India’s feast of the Assumption, and the ultimate victory over evil".
"God Bless India!".
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18/08/2014
