By C V Joseph

Bengaluru, Feb 13, 2020: Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, says consistent dialogue with all sections of people is important and necessary to maintain unity and harmony in society.

“Dialogue is the tapestry of different cultures, languages and ethnic diversity and the Church has always stood for service of society,” the cardinal, who is also the Archbishop of Bombay, told a press conference on February 12, the eve of the bishops’ conference’s 34th biennial plenary session.

The February 13-19 meet at the St John’s Academy of Medical Sciences has chosen the theme “Dialogue: The Path to Truth and Charity.”

Cardinal Gracias called for a variety of dialogues, particularly cultural dialogue for the whole country.

As a new decade begins, the Catholic Church in India will move forward to dialogue with all groups in society. This could include civic bodies, government and non-governmental organizations so as to create a peaceful and a harmonious environment for all to live as true citizens of the rich land, India, the cardinal said.

The cardinal, one of the six consultants of Pope Francis, assured all Indian citizens that the Church in India would continue to live the gospel values of peace, joy and harmony and always work for the whole humanity.

“I place into the Lord’s hands this plenary assembly and pray that the fruits of the week-long deliberations may inspire us to continue to build bridges, first by understanding the other person and then walking along with him/her, irrespective of his caste, creed, color.”

Asked about the novelty of the theme, the cardinal said the plenary had the same theme 20 years ago and it might come up again. The Church wants to give an impetus and vitality to this theme with more networks to improve the dialogue, he said added that the Church looked forward in dialoguing for anybody having anxiety as the Church is second to none for many services.

Church was pioneer in education, medical and health services besides social advancement. The Church always stood as the light of the world and helped others as well to witness the same light and truth. Church is always identical with such lofty ideals, he asserted.

Cardinal Gracias also reiterated his stand that the federal government should hold dialogue with those opposing the controversial Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) and come to an arrangement on finding a way forward with justice, equity and fairness.

“There is no harm in backtracking and changing the course if it is necessary for the good of the country and our people,” he said and recalled that he had expressed the same views on CAA and dialogue soon after Christmas.

Answering a wide range of questions along with Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios, CBCI Vice President and Interim Secretary General, he said the Catholic Church in India was committed to the idea of dialogue and believes that dialogue with diverse groups in society, different religions, ethic and cultural entities including all civic bodies, governmental and non-governmental organizations was necessary for creating a peaceful and harmonious environment for all to live as true citizens.

Cardinal Gracias said dialogue was the only way to resolve the present impasse on CAA in national interest.

The CAA, he added, has not been listed as a subject for discussion at the bishops’ meet. However, there is no bar against discussion and the concerned doctrinal commission may discuss the issue and take it to the plenary session.

Cardinal Gracias said Pope Francis was keen on visiting India. “I have discussed the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past and he has agreed. However, a lot of preparatory work needs to be done before things could move ahead.’’

“I am hopeful that it will happen soon,” he said.

To another question on the recent statement of the Syro Malabar Synod that Christian girls and women were lured through the `Love Jihad’ and the federal government’s statement in parliament that there were no instances of Love Jihad, Bishop Ignathios preferred to sidestep the issue by asserting that all citizens have a right to choose their partners.

However, forcing a person to change their faith was not correct, the Syro Malankara prelate said and asserted that all have a right to choose their partners and their faith.

Asked about the allegations of rape against Bishop Franco Mulakkal leveled by a nun and the investigations by the Kottayam police in the case, Bishop Ignathios explained that the bishop has been divested of his duties and another bishop has been asked to officiate.

“We want the police investigations to be completed and are awaiting the decisions of the court,” he added.

Cardinal Gracias disclosed that the Church ‘did consider instituting its own internal inquiry’. But, he said as the police investigation and court case was in progress, a conscious decision against holding a parallel inquiry was dropped.

“We want truth to emerge and justice must be done both to the victim as well as the accused,” he said pointing out that the “Church is neutral on the issue. It hates sin but loves the sinner.’’

Asked about the disciplinary action taken by the Church against the nuns for staging sit-ins and holding protests, Cardinal Gracias said it was a matter to be dealt by the religious congregation concerned. “But I understand that the internal regulations were flouted and necessary action was taken,” he said.

The cardinal also indicated that a sister, who was not identified, had contacted him with a request to meet him and he had agreed that she could come to meet him. The meeting, however, did not materialize, he said.

In response to the government’s recent decision to increase time for abortion, the cardinal said: “The Church is totally against abortion. We certainly oppose the recent Cabinet decision permitting termination of abortion up to 24 weeks.

He also asserted, “We cannot remain silent.”

Cardinal Gracias said writer and former BJP leader Sudheendra Kulkarni was one of the speakers at the plenary.

Cardinal Gracias denied that he was approached by the RSS to address them as the organization had earlier invited former President Pranab Mukherjee and other apolitical leaders.

However, he said he had been meeting some leaders informally on and off. In fact, former RSS Chief K S Sudarshan had met him in the past. “I see nothing wrong. We want to hold dialogue with all and our Pope is very keen on the idea of dialogue with diverse sections of people,” he said.

The CBCI is made up of 174 dioceses with more than 200 active bishops and 64 retired bishops. About 192 bishops are expected to attend the assembly.

They and resource persons would discuss on the Indian situation, the Church’s commitment to dialogue, dialogue with peoples of other convictions and dialogue with creation.

The Church in Indi has more than 60,000 priests and 90,000 sisters. It also manages more than 54,000 educational institutions that serves 60 million students from all religious backgrounds.

The Church also manages over 20,000 hospitals, clinics, dispensaries and other health centers.