New Delhi (CBCI News) Vice President of India Shri Hamid Ansari lauded the Christian community’s contribution to the nation. He saidChrist’s message of peace and compassion are perennial values for allmankind. He was speaking as the ChiefGuest of the Christmas celebrations organized by the Catholic BishopsConference of India (CBCI) at its headquarters here, December 18. The newlyelevated Cardinal Cleemis Mar BaseliosCatholicos, head of the Syro Malankara Church, and Vice President of theCBCI, was felicitated during the event. Several Union Ministers, members ofparliament and persons from religious and civil leadership were present.
Sri Ansari in his message recalled the perennial values ofJesus Christ, whom Gandhiji described as the “greatest teacher of all times”. Christ’steachings and message represent the fundamental human values of unity, peace, andrespect for everyone, compassion for the poor and selfless sacrifice, he noted. He wished all the citizens of the country,particularly the Christian community the peace of Christ’s birth. He recited a poemby Longfellow which recalls Christ’s birth at Bethlehem and the “peace on earthand good will to everyone”he offers. The vice president also congratulated theCardinal Cleemis Mar Baselios Catholicos, Head of the Syro Malankara Church andthe youngest cardinal in the Catholic Church, for his elevation as Cardinal.
CBCI PresidentCardinal Oswald Gracias congratulated the newly elevated Cardinal Cleemis anddescribed his elevation to the high office in the Church by Pope Benedict XVIas recognition of his personal qualities as well of the Syro Malankara Churchitself. He recalled the contribution of the former heads of the Syro MalankaraChurch who made distinct contribution to the witness of unity and service inthe church and the country. Cardinal Oswald noted that Cardinal Cleemis is theyoungest cardinal in the universal Church.
In his Christmas message, Cardinal Oswald Gracias said inspite of many situations of conflict and violence, poverty and economic crisis,the message of Christmas and the peace of Christ should make us focus on peace,joy and hope. Christ’s birthday isreminder of how much God loves us, he said.
Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, Apostolic Nunico to India,in his Christmas message said Christmas must help us rediscover the gift of faith.Quoting Pope Benedict‘s World Peace Day Message, he said, everyone mustcultivate a passion for good.
Cardinal Cleemis while thanking everyone for their words ofappreciation and congratulation said, he and said all of us are proud to becitizens of a great nation. He prayed for peace amity in the country and amongall the people. He said the Church is committed to the call of Lord JesusChrist to sever all the people of the country.
The felicitation and Christmas get together was organized bythe CBCI Centre, New Delhi under the leadership of Archbishop Albert D’Souza, CBCISecretary General, and Fr Joseph Chinnayyan, the Deputy Secretary General andthe Director of the CBCI Centre.