By Jose Kavi

New Delhi: Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on August 24 told a delegation of Catholic prelates that the Church’s work for the poor and downtrodden was commendable.

While the whole world speaks of development, spirituality in this development is also important; the president told the eight-member delegation led by Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).

The 14th head of the world’s largest democracy appealed to the bishops to continue the spiritual development, a CBCI press note said.

Besides Cardinal Cleemis, the Church team comprised Cardinals Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay, and Telesphore P Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi and Archbishops Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa, Abraham Viruthakulangara of Nagpur, Albert D’Souza of Agra, Anil Couto of Delhi. CBCI secretary general Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas was also part of the team.

The CBCI note explained the prelates made a “courtesy call” on the president, who assumed office on July 25.

Cardinal Cleemis presenting a bouquet
Cardinal Cleemis, who spoke for the team, conveyed the Catholic Church’s best wishes and prayers to the president. He said, India was a democratic, secular republic and “we live by the sacred book of the Country – the Indian Constitutions.”

The cardinal also said the Christian Community, although a small minority, has always served the country and will continue to serve it in healthcare, education and other areas, in particular, serving the poorest of the poor and the marginalized. He prayed for God’s blessings to the new president to serve the country through his ministry.

Cardinal Cleemis offered a bouquet of flowers to the president while Cardinal Gracias presented a garland, Cardinal Toppo gifted a photo frame of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The president said India remains a great country because of it diversity, not just religious diversity but linguistic and cultural diversity. There was even geographical diversity he said with India having the highest mountains and deepest oceans.

Cardinal Toppo
The president said that India was a secular country and that is was a one nation that has no minority and majority. “To govern the country, we require a political system and this system cannot be based on vote banks. We are all part of one country,” the president asserted.

As they left the audience, each prelate greeted the president and conveyed their good wishes to him.

The president invited them to visit him again and said that the presidents are always open.