Cardinal Martino moved by the sight of people, young and old, Christian and Hindu, praying together
Bangalore (AsiaNews) – Card Renato Raffaele Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, saw the “marvellous sight” of people, men and women of all ages and religion, including Hindus, as they visited shrines and places of pilgrimage. The prelate is currently in Bangalore for the Conference on Shrines and Pilgrimages promoted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India on the initiative of the National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Cardinal Martino said: “Yesterday I visited two Shrines in Bangalore, the Infant Jesus and Our Lady of Good Health, and I was really impressed by the faith and piety of the people. I realised that there were not only Catholics, but also many Hindus and members of other religions. This personally strengthened and encouraged me.”
In seeing the pilgrims he was struck by their respectfulness and the simplicity, zeal and devotion with which they prayed.
“Elsewhere in the world, not that many young people often go to sanctuaries. But here in India, I saw young people of all religions kneeling and praying with so much faith and piety.”
For the cardinal the diversity in the Indian Church, the different rites of the Syro-Malabar Church and Syro-Malankara Churches, all “add to the wealth of the Church as a whole.”
“I live in the Vatican, the seat of the central government of the Church, the Curia,” he said, “and I can see Indian bishops very active when they come to Rome to take part in the meetings. They are very much loved, especially by the Holy Father.”
This is not Cardinal Martino’s first visit to India. He came many times several years ago and so has been able to see how much the country has progressed in science and technology over time and “that is very positive.”
In Bangalore, the prelate took part in the inauguration of the conference by delivering the opening speech that focused on the value of pilgrimage as an important expression of all religious traditions.
In the course of the event he will announce the upcoming Asian Meeting on the Pastoral of Pilgrimage and Shrines that is scheduled for October in Nagasaki (Japan). He will also encourage the creation of associations between pilgrimage directors and shrine rectors at both the national and continental levels.
.png)
