Mumbai: Oswald Cardinal Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay October 8 released the Indian edition of the new Encyclical of Pope Francis “Fratelli Tutti” (All brothers) in India.
Releasing the third Encyclical, Cardinal Gracias, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and one of the topmost consulters of Pope Francis, appealed to everyone to transform the whole world into one family, which is envisioned in the document.
The event took place at the Holy Name Cathedral, Mumbai, after his online Sunday Eucharistic celebration, which was attended by more than thirty thousand people all over the world, said church sources.
“The individualism focusing on me and mine should be taken away from our life and we should become other-oriented persons. We have the responsibility to promote brotherhood and solidarity and reach out to the poor and the suffering,” said Cardinal Gracias.
He expressed happiness upon seeing the name of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation, who was a champion of universal brotherhood in the Papal Encyclical.
Cardinal Gracias also released two more books: “Strong in the Face of Tribulation,” of Pope Francis’ pandemic homilies, prayers, and messages and “The Pastoral Conversion,” instruction by the Congregation for the Clergy, which gives the outlines for the renewal of parish structures in a more dynamic and missionary direction.
The books are published by the Conference of Catholic Bishops’ of India (CCBI).
A few questions to the Cardinal:
1) With great pride you have released the new Encyclical of Pope Francis “Fratelli Tutti” (All brothers) in India. Have you and the CBCI implemented all the “good things’ mentioned in Vatican-II in India?
2) What is the reason for “non-implementation” of Vatican-II documents in India?
3) While releasing the new Encyclical you have appealed to everyone to transform the whole world into one family, which is envisioned in the document.
a) Is there unity within the Catholic Church?
b) Are there no “CASTE-BASED DIVISIONS” among the clergy and the laity?
c) Why there is no unity among all the Christian denominations?
4) When “Christians in India” do not live as one family, how do you expect the “whole world” to live as one family?
5) Do you really feel that the clergy and the laity will implement what is said in this new Encyclical?
6) Is Pope’s encyclical higher than the teachings of Jesus?
7) When Christians have FAILED to follow the teachings of Jesus, do you think that they will take special interest in following this encyclical?
I may sound pessimistic, but I wish to say one thing. Like the Vatican-II document and many other dynamic encyclicals, this Fratelli Tutti also will sit in the bookshelves collecting dust.
So… FIRST follow the SIMPLE teachings of JESUS of Nazareth.