The Republic of India turns 60. A talk with Card. Gracias

NEW DELHI, Jan. 27, 2010, 08.30 Hrs (Nirmala Carvalho / AsiaNews):

India celebrates the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic and the entry into force of the Constitution, on 26 January 1950. In an exclusive interview with AsiaNews, Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and Chairman of the Indian bishops, reflects on what has been done and what still needs to be done to make India a more democratic country and more pluralist society, where rights are protected and respected even those of Dalits, tribals, women and other oppressed groups. As the Indian state begins to have increasing economic and political importance, he notes the role of the Catholic Church in the largest democracy in the world.

“The Catholic Church of India, - the prelate explains to AsiaNews - has always been at the service of the nation for nation-building. The key-message of the Gospel of Jesus is Love and Service; love of neighbour as of oneself and this love is to be shown in service. After the Government of India, the Catholic Church is the largest provider of education in the country. The purpose of our educational institutions is to give an all-round formation to the students, so that students coming out would make an effective contribution to society and to the country”.

“Another big area of work is in the field of Health. The Church has a large network of Health Care Institutions all over the country. Many of these are situated in the remotest rural areas”.

“Dialogue is another important focus of the Catholic Church, dialogue is indispensable and the Catholic Church in India continues to foster a culture of dialogue, to build bridges of understanding, peace and harmony between peoples of all caste, creeds and communities in our beloved India”.

“Current problems include the promotion of the environment, and we are promoting its protection through personal intervention of the faithful and our institutions. The environment is God's gift to everyone and environmental responsibility flows from remembering the bond between God and nature. The whole of Creation was entrusted to humankind; the environment is not something that can morally be selfishly exploited - to the detriment of others in the present or future. All persons and nations are called to exercise a "responsible stewardship over nature”.

“In a few months, we will be inaugurating the Year for 'Care of the Environment', in the Archdiocese of Mumbai, there will be programmes, seminars, recollections emphasizing the need for environmental awareness at every level underling the moral and religious obligation to respect creation and promote both the protection and promotion of the environment. The Church seeks to create an overall moral tenor of society which respects the covenant not only with nature, but with other human beings and especially with the God who has made us stewards of the gift of the environment.”