Author:
Publication: The Asian
Age
Date: December 23, 2000
The Archbishop of Delhi,
Vincent M. Concessao, has expressed concern over the growing "organised
ideological attacks" on the Christians and the rise in circulation of anti-Christian
literature.
Addressing reporters
on Friday, the archbishop pointed that preaching a particular ideology
was fine but there should be no attacks on minorities. "We are being
misinterpreted and every-thing is being looked at with a political perspective.
There is a fundamental distortion of things," he said. Questioning
the secular credentials of the government, Archbishop Concessao pointed
that though the concept is enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution,
"How much is practised is the big question."
Referring to the attacks
on the Christians, the archbishop said while in Gujarat it is clear who
is behind them, in the north, it was difficult to establish a link.
According to him, though
the government is bound to observe secularism, it could do much more to
ensure a check on communal forces in the country.
In his Christmas message
he said, "Violence is a disservice to the country. Our forefathers
wanted freedom so that everyone can lead a better life. Mahatma Gandhi's
Ram Rajya was not something in an exclusive sense but in an inclusive sense.
He wanted the country to be a model for the rest of the world." On the
occasion, Father Dominic Emmanuel of the Catholic Bishop Conference of
India said there have been almost 400 cases of attacks on Christians across
the country since 1997.
