National United Christian Forum Felicitate Christian MPs

NEW DELHI, July 03, 2009, 10.00 Hrs(CBCI News):

The National United Christian Forum organized a programme to felicitate the Christian Members of Parliament at Constitution Club, July 3. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India said the Christian community is happy with the outcome of the elections and he wishes the newly elected parliamentarians to live according to the confidence and trust the people have bestowed on them. “We are confident that you will not let our people down, that you will work for the poor. While assuring the support and prayers of the Christian community in discharging their duties faithfully, the Cardinal urged the parliamentarians to dedicate themselves to ensure the economic welfare of the people and promote probity in public life.

In his welcome address General Secretary of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)Bishop D.K. Sahu expressed the kind of difficulties the Christian community witnessed during the last one year, and the defeat of the fundamentalist forces was a clear answer to the prayers of the Christian community and the wisdom of the people of this nation.

The parliamentarians who spoke briefly assured the Christian community of their whole hearted cooperation and support. They also sought the prayers and collaboration of the Christian community in faithfully discharging their duties. Fr. Thomas Aquinas, Deputy Secretary of the CBCI and Rev. Richard Howell, of the Evangelical Fellowship, led the group in prayer and hymns. The Parliamentarians were honoured with a bouquet and shawl each. The programme ended with a fellowship dinner.

George Plathottam sdb