Anti-corruption movement a sign of hope: Church official
Awareness about widespread corruption has provided mass support for the movement, says archbishop.
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| Archbishop Albert D’Souza |
Bangalore:
The “powerful public demand” to weed out corruption is “ray of hope” for India, asserts Archbishop Albert D’Souza of Agra, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).
Scams and scandals that rocked India in recent years have led to the political class losing credibility among the common people in the country, the prelate noted in his report to the CBCI plenary.
Some 170 bishops are attending the Feb. 1-8 biennial assembly at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, to address how the Church can help form a better India.
Archbishop D’Souza says awareness about widespread corruption at all levels has resulted in mass support for the “India Against Corruption” movement led by Anna Hazare, a social activist from a village in Maharashtra state.
The Church in India, the CBCI official noted, has responded to such social and political issues facing challenges and threats.
He noted a recent trend to undermine minority rights guaranteed in the Indian Constitution. Some states try to use certain provisions in the Rights to Education Bill to infringe on those rights.
Another cause for worry and anxiety among Christians is hate campaigns against them. Several instances of attacks and harassment against Christians and their institutions were reported from various parts of the country, the report noted.
The Church official welcomed the proposed Communal Violence Bill to tackle sectarian tensions, conflicts and violence. “How fair is the fairness of the bill is yet to be seen,” he added.
During the past two years, the Church continued to press for reservation for dalit Christians through legal steps and rallies.
During the period the CBCI has prepared guidelines to address sex abuse scandals. Its draft has been sent to Rome for approval.
Another achievement was the reorganization of CBCI to maintain the autonomy of the three rites while helping the Church address common and supra-ritual concerns, the report noted.
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