Invite Pope to India, Pune Christians urge govt

Sakal Times
- CAMIL PARKHE Sunday, 27 July 2014 - 11:26 PM IST
Tags: Pope Francis, India, invite, United Christians, St Francis Xavier, relics

Pune: United Christians, a city-based organisation, has urged local MP Anil Shirole to intercede on behalf of local Christians and invite Pope Francis to India on occasion of exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier in Goa this year.

In a memorandum submitted to Shirole, the members of the organisation said the Catholic community in the city and country was "saddened and disappointed" to learn that Pope Francis, the head of the Catholics in the world, was not visiting India to attend the exposition. The exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier, the 17th century Spanish Jesuit, is held in Goa every 10 years and is attended by a large number of Christians from all over the country and abroad.

The United Christians delegation that met Shirole included Francis Britto, Ashwin Rego, Sachin Ambrithraj and Peter D'Cruz.

The organisation has urged the Lok Sabha Member to intercede on behalf of Pune's 1.5 lakh Catholics with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to extend an invitation to Pope Francis, who is also head of the Vatican State, to visit India.

Peter D'Cruz told Sakal Times that Shirole handed over a copy of the memorandum to Swaraj in New Delhi on Saturday. The Union minister has assured him that she will look into the matter, Shirole informed representatives of the United Christians.

The Catholic Church last month officially confirmed that the Pope was not scheduled to visit Goa to attend the exposition. Incidentally, Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when the latter visited Goa early last month. It was not known whether the issue of inviting the Pope to India during the exposition was discussed during the meeting.

Decennial exposition starts in November

The decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Goa's patron saint, St Francis Xavier, the 17th century Spanish Jesuit, will be held in Old Goa from November 22 this year to January 4, 2015.

Incidentally, Pope Francis himself is the first Jesuit, a member of the priests' congregation Society of Jesus, to be elevated to the Papacy. 

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Vincent Bagul - Tuesday, 29 July 2014 - 10:48 AM IST

The United Christians should have sent their invitation directly to the Pope. Why do they have to ask the local MP to intervene? Does not the Pope listen to the Christian people? It is true that the Pope holds dual post as the Head of the Vatican State and as the Head of the Catholic Church. But the Christians are expecting the Pope in India only as the Head of the Catholic Church. If the Pope has interest in his faithful flock, he should come on his own. Why involve the Government of India?

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‘Live and let live is the message preached during Chaturmas’

‘Live and let live is the message preached during Chaturmas’
Sakal Times - CAMIL PARKHE Thursday, 17 July 2014 - 11:10 PM IST
Tags: Jain community, Ratanmuniji, Chaturmas, Pune, Camil Parkhe, quick takes

The four-month holy Chaturmas period of the Jain community is being observed from July 11 to November 6. Various religious programmes are being organised at Jain temples and other institutions. Ratanmuniji, who has been camping at Moraya Yatri Nivas in Chinchwadgaon, speaks to Camil Parkhe about the significance of Chaturmas.

What is the significance of the Chaturmas period?
Chaturmas is the four month period during the Monsoon when various forms of life, including insects, are born. The Jain munis continue their sojourn for religious preaching during the eight months of the year and during Chaturmas they rest at a particular site so that no form of life is harmed because of their physical movement. Ahimsa or non-violence and respect for all forms of life are the most important tenets of the religion. 'Live and let live' is the message preached during Chaturmas.

What religious activities are performed during this period?
During Chaturmas, munis reside at a particular chosen venue where they carry out various religious activities along with the local devotees. They deliver discourses, guide the devotees on scriptures and conduct debates on religious and ethical issues. Chaturmas is the holy period of prayer, meditation and penance. The religious activities at the Jain institutions are attended by a large number of devotees.

What is the message given to people during Chaturmas?
The message to Jain devotees and also people of other faiths is to respect all forms of life, follow ahimsa (non-violence) and promote peace. Being materialistic and selfish results in hatred, while love and sacrifice bring happiness and peace. Jain religion preaches sacrifice and sharing of one's assets with the underprivileged. That is why members of the Jain community are seen giving alms and participating in charitable activities.

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Football loyalties divided between two Popes!

Football loyalties divided between Popes!
- CAMIL PARKHE Sakal Times Sunday, 13 July 2014 - 03:10 PM IST
Tags: football, FIFA, FIFA world cup 2014, Argentina, Germany, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict,Valerian D’Souza

Pune: With Argentina and Germany facing each other in the World Cup football finals on Sunday, Catholic fans across the world seem to be in a dilemma about which team to support. This is because, Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, hails from Argentina and his predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict, hails from Germany.
This queer dilemma has been brought to light by Pune’s Emeritus Bishop Valerian D’Souza on his Facebook page. Bishop Valerian, who has played football for his alma mater St Vincent’s High School, has said there is much speculation about whom Pope Francis and Pope Benedict will pray for when Argentina and Germany face each other in the finals.
“If they pray for their respective national teams, will that not put God in a quandary? There might be an urgent conference with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to solve the problem,” writes the retired Bishop.
According to Bishop Valerian, numerous fans have been praying for the success of their favourite teams. “Did God answer their prayers? In sports, God is only interested in smooth and fair play. The prayers of Pope Francis, Pope Benedict, all sports loving cardinals, bishops and priests will lead to an excellent and thrilling match. May we feel at the end that there should be joint winners,” he said.
Emeritus Bishop D’Souza said that he has been watching all the matches. “However, I will not watch the finals in the wee hours. I will catch the replay later,” he said. 

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Pope not coming to India disappoints people

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Pope not coming to India disappoints people
Camil Parkhe - Sakal Times Tuesday, 1 July 2014 - 12:09 AM IST
Tags: Pope Francis, Catholic Church

Pune: The official confirmation by the Catholic Church that Pope Francis will not visit Goa and other parts of India, during the forthcoming exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier in Goa, has disappointed Christians here.

It was widely believed that Pune, having major church institutions, will be a part of the Pope's itinerary if he decides to visit the country.

Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao had announced in Panaji, Goa, last week that there are no plans for the visit of Pope Francis during the exposition of the relics of the Jesuit Spanish saint Francis Xavier. The decennial exposition will be held from November 22 this year to January 4, 2015.

Incidentally, Pope Francis is also the first Jesuit, a member of the Society of Jesus congregation, elevated to the papacy. Therefore, it was believed that he may visit Goa and other parts of India during the exposition of the relics of a fellow Jesuit. 

Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre has said, “It is natural that Christian devotees will be disappointed that the Holy father is not visiting India.” 

Speaking to Sakal Times, the bishop, however, clarified that Pope Francis' India visit was not planned as the Government of India had not extended a formal invitation to the head of the Catholic Church.

He said that the Catholic Bishops Conference of India delegation had met the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh some months ago to seek extending an invitation to Pope Francis to visit India during the exposition period.

"However, the Government of India did not make any move and therefore, no plans were made for the Pope's visit,” Bishop Dabre said. Peter D'Cruz, an activist and leader of the local United Christians Front, has said that even now, the Government of India can initiate steps to arrange for the Pope's visit during the exposition.

“The BJP government at the Centre and also in Goa State should expedite the formalities to invite the Pope, the leader of the largest religious community in the world, to India. The exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier, held once in a decade, is a major event for the Christians in the country.” D'Cruz said.