From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 28: Archbishop of Bangalore Most Rev Dr Peter Machado has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting Christian leaders to his residence and extending Christmas greetings to the community and speaking in glowing terms about its contribution to the country and has urged him to take the message of peace and goodwill by addressing the concerns of the Christian community.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Archbishop has referred to the instances of hate speeches against Christians, attacks on Churches and Institutions, promulgation of Anti-Conversion Laws in more and more States and said these measures have led to deprivation and usurpation of the constitutional rights of Christians, which can be best handled by the Prime Minister’s Office with timely interventions.

“We all look up to the Prime Minister to give a soothing touch to the burning problem of Manipur, which may be an ethnic issue, but has left deep scars on the people of the Christian community. Further the Prime Minister can surely take Christian leaders into confidence in resolving the Dalit Christian reservations issue in a statesmanship type of leadership by granting equal status to all Dalits, be they Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians,’’ he said.

The Archbishop is also the President of the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council and All Karnataka United Forum for Human Rights.

Archbishop Machado described this year’s Christmas celebrations was ‘special’ as the Prime Minister met the Archbishop of Mumbai, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, and the Archbishop of Delhi, Most Rev. Anil Couto and praised the Prime Minister for his wonderful gesture of meeting and greeting the Christians of India.

“The Prime Minister himself spoke of the Christian Community in a very complimentary, positive and favourable manner. He also, in glowing terms, praised the Community for its contributions to the freedom movement in the past, and the role it plays today with its active participation in the social service activities, and also in education and health fields,’’ he said.

“It was beautiful to hear from our Prime Minister that Jesus’ life was a message that is centred on compassion and service. No wonder the people were full of praise for the Prime Minister, who acknowledged the best in Christianity and, for which, he merits the highest praise from the Christian Community.

“The Christian Community, while thanking the Prime Minister, who endeared himself to the Christians with his goodwill and hosting the Christmas Celebration at his residence, makes a strong appeal to him to address the pending issues and respond positively to the concerns of the community. If done, the Christians will remain ever grateful to him,’’ the Archbishop has added.