New Delhi (CBCI News) The President of the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) Cardinal Oswald Gracias has in a letter has greeted  the newly elected President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee and said the President-elect  has impressive political "leadership qualities" and a great "interest" in  the good of the country. The Cardinal called for renewed cooperation between the government and the Catholic Church in its mission of service in favour of the poor and the marginalized. He called for ongoing collaboration between the Church and government in nation building.

We welcome the election of Pranab Mukherjee as the 13th President of India and on behalf of the Church in India we offer him our warmest congratulations and we pray for God’s blessings on on the President-elect and on our beloved country. I have personally met Mr. Mukherjee on a few occasions and was impressed by his leadership qualities and his concern for the country and we pray that Mr Mukherjee will be a Statesman-like President, the Cardinal said.

Cardinal Oswald assured the President elect, the commitment of the Catholic Church in India towards nation building. The Catholic Church in India has always addressed the causes of poverty throughout the country. He recalled the Church’s service particularly in the field of education and health care. Nearly 60% of the Catholic schools situated in rural areas, he pointed out. The Church is also concerned with the education and welfare of the girl children and a large percentage are girls' schooling in Indian villages are in rural areas. Our social welfare mission promotes empowerment of women and girl child and youth to ensure that the poorest of the poor and marginalised  live a life of dignity with self reliance.