'Word of God, source of life,' theme of Indian bishops’ meeting

Rome, Italy, Feb 16, 2009 / 19:04 pm

During their 21st Plenary Assembly last week, the Latin Rite bishops of India addressed the issue of the systematic attacks on the Christian community in the country and the importance of “the Word of God, the source of life for the Indian people.”

According to the L’Osservatore Romano, the inaugural Mass attended by bishops, priests and religious, was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana.

The vice secretary of the Latin Rite Bishops’ Conference of India, Father Uduma Bala, said the theme of the Assembly “is of particular relevance at this time in India, because it is about evangelization, and proselytism is the main accusation Hindu extremists make against Christians.”

“Catholics undoubtedly are waiting with hope for the necessary guidance” to continue forward, Father Bala said. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Latin Rite Bishops’ Conference of India, stated, “The objective this Assembly should focus on is the Word of God and his truth. This could give society the values that it needs and this is what the people are seeking.”

“Evangelical values,” the cardinal said, “should permeate all aspects of life. In this era of globalization it is essential that the Bible and its contents reach the world so that it can be a place where justice, truth and unity can prevail.”