CBCI delegation meets with Prime Minister Modi to address issues affecting Christians in India
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On July 12, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) delegation met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss various issues affecting Christians in the country.
The delegation included CBCI President Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhathu, Vice President Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas, Secretary General Archbishop Anil JT Couto, and Deputy Secretary General Dr. Mathew Koyickal. Minister of State Suresh Gopi was also present at the meeting.
Among the key issues discussed, the CBCI delegation requested Prime Minister Modi's intervention to bring peace to Manipur and to facilitate Pope Francis's visit to India at the earliest opportunity.
The CBCI office-bearers congratulated Modi on his third consecutive term as Prime Minister and conveyed their best wishes, assuring him of their support in nation-building efforts.
During the meeting, the delegation expressed concern over the increasing attacks on Christians based on false allegations of forced conversions and the misuse of anti-conversion laws.
They also raised issues related to reservations for Dalits and tribals, and the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which has been ongoing since May 3, 2023.
Additionally, the CBCI leaders appealed to the Prime Minister to expedite the process of arranging Pope Francis's visit to India.
The CBCI delegation reaffirmed their commitment to contributing positively to the nation's development.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.