Bhopal: Christians of various denominations in a central Indian city came together to pray for India’s unity and progress.
Catholic Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, who opened the program, urged the gathering to come forward to work for peace and build a better India.
Priests, pastors and lay people prayed for India’s Constitution, its executive, legislative and judiciary during the October 5 prayer service at Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh state. They also prayed for the president, prime minister and his cabinet colleagues, state chief minister and his cabinet, armed forces, youth and children, election commission and media.
The prayer service began with praise and worship followed by the lightning of the lamp by heads of various states. Several legislators, members of parliament and police officers joined the program.
Archdiocesan public relations officer Father Maria Stephen welcomed the participants while Fr. Jose Prakash, the coordinator, explained the purpose and the meaning of the gathering. He invited them to sincerely pray for India which was facing serious threats to its existence as a secular, democratic nation.
The prayer service ended with participants holding hands to sing the hymn, ‘Bind us together Lord’, to express unity and solidarity with millions of people who die of hunger and lack of love.
The program was held in the backdrop of certain groups asking for a review of the Indian Constitution that treats all citizens as equals and upholds secularism and democracy. These groups want to turn the country into a theocratic nation.