Media Release

Bengaluru, Feb 20: As part of the final statement, the bishops made a fervent appeal which said, “We believe that patriotism is different from narrow and divisive cultural nationalism, which is radically different from Constitutional nationalism.”

The statement further said, no one has the right to question patriotism of any Indian citizen on subjective grounds. Authentic patriotism unites us amidst divergences. Patriotism is defined as directing the attention of the citizens to the good of the whole human family, united by the different ties which bind together races, people and nations. “All Christians must be aware of their sense of responsibility and their service of the common good. They must recognize the legitimacy of different opinions with regard to temporal solutions and respect citizens, who, even as a group, defend their points of view by honest methods” (Church in the Modern World, no. 75).

False nationalistic ideologies that instigate contempt for cultures other than the majoritarian dominant culture are capable of perpetrating atrocities. It is necessary to clarify the essential difference between patriotism and pseudo nationalism. Patriotism builds up the nation while pseudo nationalism destroys the integrity, unity and harmony of the nation. Nationalism, particularly in its most radical and extreme forms, is thus the antithesis of true patriotism.

We appeal to the State authorities to ensure that pseudo nationalism does not continue to give rise to new forms of totalitarianism. Together with the framers of the Constitution, we, the Catholic Bishops of India, affirm that religion shall not be a criterion for determining Indian citizenship. The authorities should come forward with sincere and effective means to erase the sense of fear, anxiety and uncertainty spreading in the nation, especially among the religious minorities.

Needless to say that dissent should not be misconstrued as un-patriotism. Democracy cannot be built on monologue. We call upon the State authorities that it is right time to sit around the common table, a place of conversation and of shared hopes. Against the attempts at creating cultural isolation in our beloved country, dialogue will make the elements that are seemingly a barrier or a wall, a bridge of relationship. “Identity and dialogue are not enemies. Our own cultural identity is strengthened and enriched as a result of dialogue with those unlike ourselves. Nor is our authentic identity preserved by an impoverished isolation.” (Pope Francis, Querida Amazonia, n.)

In conclusion, the statement said that dialogue is indeed the path to truth and charity. Let us pray that dialogue grows in every family, at all levels of the Church, among the Christians, among religions and cultures, and among the nations so that God’s Kingdom of reconciliation, justice, peace and love may come. Though deeply concerned and anguished with what is happening, we are filled with hope inspired by faith and the innate goodness of all our fellow citizens. We appreciate the majority who uphold the secular values of our nation. We are determined to continue to collaborate in the work of building our great nation, Mother India. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who manifested the exemplary spirit of dialogue through her maternal intercession, guide each one of us on the path of truth and charity, the statement said.