PRESS STATEMENT
The CBCI Standing Committee met at St John's Medical College, Bangalore for its 134th meeting from September 27-28, 2018.
During this meeting, besides other matters, we reflected on recent happenings in the Church in India.
Aware that our strength lies only in the Lord, we spent a special Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament praying to the Lord to bless the Church in India, to strengthen us and to guide all of us in the carrying out of our responsibilities.
We are deeply pained at the recent developments connected with the Bishop of Jalandhar and the constant attacks by the media on the Church implying that it was trying to cover up this case. This accusation does not correspond to the truth. Church authorities have studied and continue to examine this serious and complex matter. Since the civil authorities were making their investigations, the Church did not make any statement. We realize that such matters require time and discernment. We reiterate that we have full confidence in the judicial system of our country.
We invite all people of good will to join us in prayer for those involved, that their sufferings might be alleviated, the spiritual wounds healed, the truth recognized and that justice be done.
We pray for the Church in India. We pray for unity. We pray that Gospel values become more and more moving spirit for our life and our work. We commit ourselves to strive for this.
+Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay & President of CBCI