HYDERABAD: With religion being the calling card in recent times, the nation is warily but perhaps determinedly gearing up for the 2019 general elections. The Archbishop of Delhi, Rev Anil Couto, has called for a nation-wide prayer campaign ahead of the 2019 elections. In a letter forwarded to the churches, Rev Couto has said that a “turbulent political atmosphere” in the country posed a threat to Constitutional principles and secular fabric and has appealed to the followers of his faith for a “prayer campaign”.
The Archbishop of Hyderabad, Rev Thumma Bala is in support of the letter. As is the Vicar General of Hyderabad Archdiocese Father Swarna Bernard who has also clarified that the letter does not specify any political party nor has it appealed to vote for any particular leader.
“There is nothing wrong in appealing to the faithful to pray for a new government, we (the Catholic community) will support those who respect the Constitution of India and do not deny our Constitutional rights. We don’t find anything wrong in the appeal. The churches will support a government that protects democracy and follows its principals. Catholics have always prayed for the nation and its leaders. Whatever government is destined to come in 2019, we are praying for it”, said the Vicar General.
There are four dioceses and one main Archdiocese in Telangana. The Hebron churches have lent their support the prayer campaign as well. Another Christian body, the Council of Independent Bishops in India, have extended their support as well. The Chief of Independent Churches, Bishop Wilson Singam said, “In recent times, incidents of attacks on pastors, churches being looted and even the Bible being burnt, were reported. Our appeal is that all Indian citizens should be treated equally. We from the Protestant community, support the appeal for prayer for a new government.
If the Archbishop has raised an appeal, there must be some reason behind this, the Government should look into it . We stand by the call for Friday fasting and continue to pray for the President, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers and those who are in position of power.” Bishop Solomon represents 600 churches, 102 bishops and 780 clergies across Telangana. The Christian heads in Telangana have woken up to the call too.
Bishop A. C Solomon Raj, who heads the Churches of South India said, “We (CSI) pray for our nation and its leaders and all political leaders in our worships every Sunday. The call for a fasting prayer is a call for the nation’s Christians to pray for its leaders. I don’t see any abnormality; it’s a routine call. Christians aim well for our motherland irrespective of who is ruling.” The Archbishop of Hyderabad, Rev Thumma Bala is in support of the letter. So is the Vicar General of Hyderabad Archdiocese Father Swarna Bernard.
