“The Holy Father was very interested in knowing about the situation of how Indian Christians are treated, our efforts for inter-religious dialogue and also about how we go about our pastoral work,” said Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai in a Vatican Radio interview.
Cardinal Gracias informed the Pope that the treatment of Christians varies by region in the world's largest democracy and second most populous country. “It’s not all over India, it is only in certain pockets, but really, I would not be honest if I did not say that there is violence in parts of the country even today. But it is certainly much, much better than before.”
India has the fourth largest bishops' conference in the Church, and so its ad limina visits have to be spread out over four stages. Today's meeting included bishops from the southwest of the country, where Hindu chauvinists have created a worrying climate for the Christian population: a church was vandalized just last week and its priest threatened. The Hindu fundamentalists want to make it appear that "“the whole of India is in danger because of the activities of the Christians and the missionaries,” said the bishop, yet, “the Gospel is a message of love and peace and joy and human growth which does not threaten anybody.”
Vatican Insider reported last Friday that the Indian bishops have extended an invitation to Pope Benedict to visit their country; he responded that he would like to go if his health permits him.
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| Cardinal Oswald Gracias, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India |
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