15 August 2018: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) celebrated the 72nd Independence Day at CBCI Centre, New Delhi with due solemnity. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, the Secretary General of CBCI, with one of the CBCI employee’s son Alan Richard Xalxo hoisted the flag. Earlier at the Holy Mass celebrated in the Chapel of the CBCI Centre, Bishop Theodore presiding over the Eucharist said that Independence Day was also the day of assumption of the nation, from slavery to freedom. He also remarked that India Independence day reminds us of the respect for the equal freedom of Speech, religion and cultural expressions. He prayed that conditions may be created in the country so that every citizen would have a sense of respect for one another. The prelate placed the country and its people under the mantle of our Blessed Mother Mary, whose feast of Assumption we celebrate today.

Fr. Nicholas Barla in his speech after the flag hoisting and the salute, recalled the past history of the freedom struggle movement and said that Independence Day was the day of pride for every Indian citizen. The nation pays homage to all freedom fighters and salutes those unscripted people who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

This day we need to remember that India is a secular country with peoples of diverse religions, languages and cultures living together.  Diversity is the heart of India, therefore, every citizen of India must strive to respect the people and preserve the historical heritage of the Country. Speaking on the present challenges of the country, he exhorted that we must be united and raise our voices against all those forces that divide and destroy the great heritage of the country. The residential priests and staff of CBCI Centre participated in the Holy Mass and attended the flag hoisting ceremony.

God bless our Beloved Country!

Jai Hind!

Fr. Ashit Toppo

Office Secretary of CBCI Secretariat