PRESS RELEASE

The CBCI President Cardinal Oswald Gracias met the

Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi

New Delhi, 20.03.2018

The newly elected President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, met the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, at the PM’s Office in Parliament House, this morning.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias recalled the Church’s longstanding contributions to nation building and her work for the wellbeing of people of India, specially in the field of education, healthcare and social uplift. The CBCI President said that aware of the great challenges the country is facing, the Church wants to be fully part of the great project of nation building.

The Cardinal also discussed with the Honourable Prime Minister the possibility of a visit of Pope Francis to our Country. Pope Francis is the leader of the Universal Church acclaimed worldwide and appreciated by people of all beliefs and his visit will bring long term benefits to our Country, the Cardinal said. The Prime Minister reacted positively to this desire of the whole Catholic Community.

Cardinal Oswald Gracias also drew the attention of the Prime Minister towards a growing anxiety in certain sections of the community regarding the sporadic attacks on minority institutions and personnel in different parts of the Country. If the message goes out that these acts of violence are against the law, harm the Country and will not be tolerated, it will go a long way in allaying the fears of the Community and will discourage the misguided people from creating mischiefs, the Cardinal told the Prime Minister.

Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, assured the CBCI President that his first priority is the welfare of the people and eradication of poverty. Prime Minister reiterated that he is the Prime Minister of all Indians, irrespective of caste and creed, and told the Cardinal that if there is any issue that is to be brought to his attention, he will be always available and willing to look into it. The meeting with the Prime Minister conducted in an atmosphere of cordiality and openness was reassuring and helped both sides to understand other better.