Prot. 900/SecGen 2018 (2-c-28 /CBCI - Press) October 19, 2018
Press Release
We are deeply shocked and, saddened by the news of the tragic railway accident in Amritsar. It is reported that over 58 people were killed and 72 injured after a speeding train mowed down people celebrating Dussehra near Amritsar on Friday evening. The incident took place at Joda Fatak level crossing where Dusshera celebrations were underway. According to reports, the incident took place when a large number of people were watching the Ravan effigy going up in flames while standing along the railway tracks. As the fireworks went off, some people, in order to avoid high flames, started retreating towards the tracks where a huge crowd was already standing to watch the event. However, two trains arrived from the opposite direction at the same time, giving little chance to people to escape.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) condoles the death of our brothers and sisters who met with an untimely death even while they were engaged in celebrating their religious festival. May God grant them eternal rest. Our hearts go out to the many families who are left inconsolable this evening mourning the loss of their dear ones. We participate in their sorrow and pray to the Almighty for comfort and consolation. May God grant complete healing to those injured in the accident.
We assure our prayers and support to all who are engaged in providing relief and succour to the victims and their families. This tragedy once again underlines the need to enhance railway and road safety as well as enforcement of safety norms in the organization of celebrations as every life is precious and should be protected and safe guarded in every way.
Yours sincerely in our Lord,
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX.
Secretary General,
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
Prot. 900/SecGen 2018 (2-c-28 /CBCI - Press) October 19, 2018
Press Release
We are deeply shocked and, saddened by the news of the tragic railway accident in Amritsar. It is reported that over 58 people were killed and 72 injured after a speeding train mowed down people celebrating Dussehra near Amritsar on Friday evening. The incident took place at Joda Fatak level crossing where Dusshera celebrations were underway. According to reports, the incident took place when a large number of people were watching the Ravan effigy going up in flames while standing along the railway tracks. As the fireworks went off, some people, in order to avoid high flames, started retreating towards the tracks where a huge crowd was already standing to watch the event. However, two trains arrived from the opposite direction at the same time, giving little chance to people to escape.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) condoles the death of our brothers and sisters who met with an untimely death even while they were engaged in celebrating their religious festival. May God grant them eternal rest. Our hearts go out to the many families who are left inconsolable this evening mourning the loss of their dear ones. We participate in their sorrow and pray to the Almighty for comfort and consolation. May God grant complete healing to those injured in the accident.
We assure our prayers and support to all who are engaged in providing relief and succour to the victims and their families. This tragedy once again underlines the need to enhance railway and road safety as well as enforcement of safety norms in the organization of celebrations as every life is precious and should be protected and safe guarded in every way.
Yours sincerely in our Lord,
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX.
Secretary General,
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
PRESS STATEMENT
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) is deeply shocked and saddened by the styrene gas that leaked early this morning from LG Polymers in several areas of Visakhapatnam.
From the reports it is noted that many have died, scores are ill, and the accident has created mass panic in several areas. It is a poisonous gas and depending on the intensity of inhaling, can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system. The elderly people and those with respiratory ailments are most at risk.
The CBCI offers its heartfelt sympathies and assurance of prayers to all those affected. The CBCI calls upon the Civil authorities to make every effort to find the cause of this gas leak, take steps to prevent its recurrence here and elsewhere and provide assistance to all those affected.
Caritas India has already been in touch with the local authorities to see how we can help. We are aware that this accident has put added pressure on those already stressed by the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. Our prayers are with them for strength and courage.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay President, Catholic Bishops Conference of India
May 7, 2020
PRESS STATEMENT
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) is deeply shocked and saddened by the styrene gas that leaked early this morning from LG Polymers in several areas of Visakhapatnam.
From the reports it is noted that many have died, scores are ill, and the accident has created mass panic in several areas. It is a poisonous gas and depending on the intensity of inhaling, can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system. The elderly people and those with respiratory ailments are most at risk.
The CBCI offers its heartfelt sympathies and assurance of prayers to all those affected. The CBCI calls upon the Civil authorities to make every effort to find the cause of this gas leak, take steps to prevent its recurrence here and elsewhere and provide assistance to all those affected.
Caritas India has already been in touch with the local authorities to see how we can help. We are aware that this accident has put added pressure on those already stressed by the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. Our prayers are with them for strength and courage.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay President, Catholic Bishops Conference of India
May 7, 2020
On behalf of the CBCI office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, I thank all those have helped and encouraged us on this day of Prayer, Fasting and Charitable works to end Covid-19. The Web-Prayer fellowship was both graceful and beautiful.
Thanks to H.E. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Cardinal George Alencherry, Cardinal Baselios mar Cleemis, Archbishop Felix Machado, Archbishop Joshua mar Ignatios and all the office bearers.
Thanks to Archbishop Peter Machado, Archbishop Kuriakose mor Theophilos, Rev. Kasta Dip, Sri. Sumitra Krishnadas, Bishop Raphel Manjaly, special thanks to Fr. Jervis for his great support and thanks to Bp. Thomas Dabre and Our Chairman Abp. Joseph Perumthottam for their encouragement.
It was really a nice experience. Though we had some some technical problems in the beginning.
God takes care of his people.
Thanks to all.
We are united in Prayer against this Pandemic disease.
We continue to pray earnestly for the nation and the world.
for the office for Dialogue.
Fr. Cherian.
14th May, 2020
On behalf of the CBCI office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, I thank all those have helped and encouraged us on this day of Prayer, Fasting and Charitable works to end Covid-19. The Web-Prayer fellowship was both graceful and beautiful.
Thanks to H.E. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Cardinal George Alencherry, Cardinal Baselios mar Cleemis, Archbishop Felix Machado, Archbishop Joshua mar Ignatios and all the office bearers.
Thanks to Archbishop Peter Machado, Archbishop Kuriakose mor Theophilos, Rev. Kasta Dip, Sri. Sumitra Krishnadas, Bishop Raphel Manjaly, special thanks to Fr. Jervis for his great support and thanks to Bp. Thomas Dabre and Our Chairman Abp. Joseph Perumthottam for their encouragement.
It was really a nice experience. Though we had some some technical problems in the beginning.
God takes care of his people.
Thanks to all.
We are united in Prayer against this Pandemic disease.
We continue to pray earnestly for the nation and the world.
for the office for Dialogue.
Fr. Cherian.
14th May, 2020
PRESS NOTE
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) condemns most strongly the brutal assaults on P Jayaraj and his son J Fenix while in police custody in Tuticorin, which resulted in their deaths.
According to the reports in the media, P Jayaraj and his son J Fenix were picked by the police for keeping their mobile accessories shop open during the lockdown. When the father-son duo was released from jail, they were found profusely bleeding from their rectum. Between 7 am and 12 pm on June 20, the father and son had changed at least seven sets of clothes as each had become soaked due to bleeding.
Friends of Fenix, who were present at the police station, told news outlets that for three hours they heard only screams and cries of Jayaraj and Fenix, while being assaulted in the lockup.
Such brutality at the hands of a force that is called to protect our people is totally unacceptable. The police are expected to inspire confidence in the people. The law should take its course and deterrent punishment should follow. This is to inspire confidence in good well-trained officers, who truly bring repute to our police force. The CBCI calls upon the Government to see that immediate action is taken and to ensure that the family is compensated. The Church prays that God may grant the departed souls eternal rest and that their family may get comfort and peace in this shocking situation.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay
President, Catholic Bishops Conference of India
June 28, 2020
PRESS NOTE
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) condemns most strongly the brutal assaults on P Jayaraj and his son J Fenix while in police custody in Tuticorin, which resulted in their deaths.
According to the reports in the media, P Jayaraj and his son J Fenix were picked by the police for keeping their mobile accessories shop open during the lockdown. When the father-son duo was released from jail, they were found profusely bleeding from their rectum. Between 7 am and 12 pm on June 20, the father and son had changed at least seven sets of clothes as each had become soaked due to bleeding.
Friends of Fenix, who were present at the police station, told news outlets that for three hours they heard only screams and cries of Jayaraj and Fenix, while being assaulted in the lockup.
Such brutality at the hands of a force that is called to protect our people is totally unacceptable. The police are expected to inspire confidence in the people. The law should take its course and deterrent punishment should follow. This is to inspire confidence in good well-trained officers, who truly bring repute to our police force. The CBCI calls upon the Government to see that immediate action is taken and to ensure that the family is compensated. The Church prays that God may grant the departed souls eternal rest and that their family may get comfort and peace in this shocking situation.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay
President, Catholic Bishops Conference of India
June 28, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
Enquiries have come in from several quarters in connection with some comments of the Holy Father which were incorporated in a film “Francesco” just released. The Holy Father's remarks got wide publicity and there have been different reactions. I considered it necessary to issue a clarification from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.
1. There is no change in Church doctrine at all. The Holy Father's comments are in full consonance with what he has repeatedly said: show compassion, reach out to the peripheries, protect the weak, etc.
2. What did the Holy Father actually say? Translated from the Spanish it reads, "homosexual persons have a right to a family." It is clear that the Holy Father is referring to the family of birth. This is further clarified when he later states that such a person should not be thrown out of the family, just because of the sexual orientation.
3. Regarding "civil unions": In this interview to a press agent what he has said is that some protection should be given to those who are living together. This not a call for gay marriages to be recognized, and certainly not the Catholic Church's recognition of them. Church doctrine drawing from Sacred Scripture and Tradition, is clear and has not in any way been diluted. Pope Francis in his reflections expresses his concern that these people can be in distress and seeks some civil protection to safeguard their interests (e.g. for insurance, social security etc.).
The Holy Father has been misunderstood and misinterpreted.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias
October 26, 2020
Archbishop of Bombay & President,
Catholic Bishops Conference of India
PRESS RELEASE
Enquiries have come in from several quarters in connection with some comments of the Holy Father which were incorporated in a film “Francesco” just released. The Holy Father's remarks got wide publicity and there have been different reactions. I considered it necessary to issue a clarification from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.
1. There is no change in Church doctrine at all. The Holy Father's comments are in full consonance with what he has repeatedly said: show compassion, reach out to the peripheries, protect the weak, etc.
2. What did the Holy Father actually say? Translated from the Spanish it reads, "homosexual persons have a right to a family." It is clear that the Holy Father is referring to the family of birth. This is further clarified when he later states that such a person should not be thrown out of the family, just because of the sexual orientation.
3. Regarding "civil unions": In this interview to a press agent what he has said is that some protection should be given to those who are living together. This not a call for gay marriages to be recognized, and certainly not the Catholic Church's recognition of them. Church doctrine drawing from Sacred Scripture and Tradition, is clear and has not in any way been diluted. Pope Francis in his reflections expresses his concern that these people can be in distress and seeks some civil protection to safeguard their interests (e.g. for insurance, social security etc.).
The Holy Father has been misunderstood and misinterpreted.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias
October 26, 2020
Archbishop of Bombay & President,
Catholic Bishops Conference of India