05-21-2006, 06:21 PM
Pope targets India for Conversion
Mumbai, May 20: Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday appointed Cardinal Ivan Dias of Mumbai the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (CEP). He will oversee territory spanning 64 million sq km across five continents, in areas "where Christianity is still young".
<b>The appointment comes a day after the Pope upbraided Indiaâs new ambassador to the Holy See, Mr Amitava Tripathi,</b> about attempts by the BJP government in Rajasthan to enact anti-conversion laws. Mr Tripathi, presenting his credentials on Friday, was told that there were in India "disturbing signs" of attempts to "legislate restrictions" to the right to religious freedom. <b>The ministry of external affairs had reacted mildly, saying, it was "acknowledged universally" that India is secular and all religious faiths enjoy equal rights.</b>
Cardinal Dias, 70, is a member of the eight dicasteries (departments) of the Holy See. <b>He has been asked to continue as administrator of the Archdiocese of Bombay till he leaves to take over his responsibilities at the Vatican, where his office will be at the famous Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps). Cardinal Diasâ new post is very prestigious. It is the third most important in the Vatican hierarchy, after the Pope and the Vatican secretary of state</b>, and the person who occupies this position is informally called "the Red Pope" because of the red garments worn by cardinals. In his new capacity, Cardinal Dias will also oversee the appointment of cardinals.
The late Pope John Paul II had said in India a few years ago that the earlier centuries saw Christianity in Europe and the West, and that the <b>21st century was Asiaâs turn. Asked if this meant Cardinal Dias would be responsible for the conversion of the people in this 64 million sq km area</b>, Father Anthony Charanghat, the official spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Bombay, said, "No. It does not mean conversion. Conversion cannot be external, it is a personal choice and it is a freedom and the right of a person. It cannot be imposed. Evangelisation is preaching the gospel. In the gospel it is said âGo forth and proclaim in the name Jesus,â and this seems to have been forgotten. It is a living word, and this is an element which is missing today as we seem to be playing down the message for lack of conviction." He said today Catholicism has been relegated to doing good work and watered down to social work.
Asked how evangelisation is different from conversion, he said, "Evangelisation is a blend of good work and example. People are always in search of truth and beauty and this is in Jesus and his life. The motivation for all action is God, a surrender to the person of Jesus, who embodies the love of God."
There is a view in the church that alternative religions are driving people away from God the person, hence the need to preach the gospel of Jesus, he said. <b>"We are not looking for numbers. We are a small minority, but we want the Christian influence to pervade the universe," Father Anthony Charanghat said.</b>
Cardinal Dias is well acquainted with Africa, Asia and eastern Europe as he has served in various capacities at the Vatican.
<b>The CEP, founded in 1622, is the Vatican department entrusted with the coordination of programmes "aimed at spreading the good news of Jesus Christ in territories where Christianity is still young", </b>said the statement sent out by the Catholic Communications Centre. It said at present this would cover 64 million sq km on the five continents where the Catholic population totals 185 million. In this area, there are some 1,100 dioceses and other ecclesiastical units; 2,400 bishops in active service or retired; 85,000 priests; 4,50,000 religious women; 28,000 religious brothers and 1.65 million catechists. Candidates to the priesthood receive spiritual and academic formation in 280 major and 110 minor seminaries with 65,000 major seminarians and 85,000 minor seminarians. In the mission territories the Catholic Church runs 90,000 educational institutes, 1,600 hospitals, 6,000 clinics, 780 leprosaria and 24,000 social and welfare institutions.
Mumbai, May 20: Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday appointed Cardinal Ivan Dias of Mumbai the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (CEP). He will oversee territory spanning 64 million sq km across five continents, in areas "where Christianity is still young".
<b>The appointment comes a day after the Pope upbraided Indiaâs new ambassador to the Holy See, Mr Amitava Tripathi,</b> about attempts by the BJP government in Rajasthan to enact anti-conversion laws. Mr Tripathi, presenting his credentials on Friday, was told that there were in India "disturbing signs" of attempts to "legislate restrictions" to the right to religious freedom. <b>The ministry of external affairs had reacted mildly, saying, it was "acknowledged universally" that India is secular and all religious faiths enjoy equal rights.</b>
Cardinal Dias, 70, is a member of the eight dicasteries (departments) of the Holy See. <b>He has been asked to continue as administrator of the Archdiocese of Bombay till he leaves to take over his responsibilities at the Vatican, where his office will be at the famous Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps). Cardinal Diasâ new post is very prestigious. It is the third most important in the Vatican hierarchy, after the Pope and the Vatican secretary of state</b>, and the person who occupies this position is informally called "the Red Pope" because of the red garments worn by cardinals. In his new capacity, Cardinal Dias will also oversee the appointment of cardinals.
The late Pope John Paul II had said in India a few years ago that the earlier centuries saw Christianity in Europe and the West, and that the <b>21st century was Asiaâs turn. Asked if this meant Cardinal Dias would be responsible for the conversion of the people in this 64 million sq km area</b>, Father Anthony Charanghat, the official spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Bombay, said, "No. It does not mean conversion. Conversion cannot be external, it is a personal choice and it is a freedom and the right of a person. It cannot be imposed. Evangelisation is preaching the gospel. In the gospel it is said âGo forth and proclaim in the name Jesus,â and this seems to have been forgotten. It is a living word, and this is an element which is missing today as we seem to be playing down the message for lack of conviction." He said today Catholicism has been relegated to doing good work and watered down to social work.
Asked how evangelisation is different from conversion, he said, "Evangelisation is a blend of good work and example. People are always in search of truth and beauty and this is in Jesus and his life. The motivation for all action is God, a surrender to the person of Jesus, who embodies the love of God."
There is a view in the church that alternative religions are driving people away from God the person, hence the need to preach the gospel of Jesus, he said. <b>"We are not looking for numbers. We are a small minority, but we want the Christian influence to pervade the universe," Father Anthony Charanghat said.</b>
Cardinal Dias is well acquainted with Africa, Asia and eastern Europe as he has served in various capacities at the Vatican.
<b>The CEP, founded in 1622, is the Vatican department entrusted with the coordination of programmes "aimed at spreading the good news of Jesus Christ in territories where Christianity is still young", </b>said the statement sent out by the Catholic Communications Centre. It said at present this would cover 64 million sq km on the five continents where the Catholic population totals 185 million. In this area, there are some 1,100 dioceses and other ecclesiastical units; 2,400 bishops in active service or retired; 85,000 priests; 4,50,000 religious women; 28,000 religious brothers and 1.65 million catechists. Candidates to the priesthood receive spiritual and academic formation in 280 major and 110 minor seminaries with 65,000 major seminarians and 85,000 minor seminarians. In the mission territories the Catholic Church runs 90,000 educational institutes, 1,600 hospitals, 6,000 clinics, 780 leprosaria and 24,000 social and welfare institutions.