SHILLONG: The Catholic Church has decided to dedicate April 6, as a day of prayer for the upcoming general elections all over the country including Meghalaya even as the Church released five qualities of a leader to be elected through a separate pastoral letter.
In a letter addressed to the top functionaries of Catholic Church on March 21, Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and Major Archbishop of Trivandrum proposed April 6 “as a day of intense prayer for the peaceful conduct of the general elections and for the divine assistance for all the citizens of India so that we may elect the best persons, who will stand for the moral values and principles in public life; uphold the democratic and secular character of our great nation and selflessly work for the peace and prosperity of all the people of India”.
Meanwhile, in a separate pastoral letter sent to all the bishops including those in Meghalaya, the Cardinal Oswald Gracias who is also the former President of CBCI said that the Catholic Church hopes that the general elections will give leaders who understand the anxieties of the people and respond to their needs.
“We need leaders who will uphold the secular character of our nation and promote communal harmony and a spirit of inter-religious dialogue and understanding, care for the minorities and weaker sections of society, protect their rights and work for their uplift, safeguard the rights of tribals over land, water and forests; and grant equal rights to dalit Christians, equal to those given to other dalits, and work for an economy that seeks in particular to help the poor and the under privileged, protecting their dignity and enabling them to take their rightful place in nation building.
According to Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, India is on the threshold of the general election to Parliament and it is stated to be the largest exercise of franchise in the world to elect in a democratic manner the leaders who would guide the destiny of the country for the next five years.
“On April 6, special prayers may be included in the Holy Mass and wherever possible, Holy Hour may be conducted in our Churches, Chapels and Oratories and pray intensely for the intentions mentioned above”, said Baselios Cardinal Cleemis.
Church’s concept of leaders
One who upholds secular character of Nation
One who cares for minorities and weaker sections
One who safeguards rights of tribals, dalits and Christians
One who works for an economy that seeks to help the poor
One who improves climate, ensures safety for women and children