Says some communities persecuted for celebrating important festivals, often with tacit approval of the authorities
PANAJI
Expressing anguish at the growing insecurity among minority communities amid unwarranted attacks on Christians during the recent Christmas celebrations, Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão said some communities are being persecuted for celebrating their most important festivals, often with the tacit approval of the authorities.
He has also appealed to people to join hands to counter the divisive forces and uphold the unity of the nation.
Cardinal Ferrão, who currently serves as president of both the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), conveyed his strong concerns on Wednesday during his message for the New Year 2026.
“As is my custom, I wish to take the opportunity at the dawning of another year to wish all readers, particularly from Goa, a New Year full of the Almighty’s blessings in their lives and endeavours. I pray for the gifts of peace to our families, harmony to our communities and unity to our State and our Nation,” stated Cardinal Ferrão.
“While greeting you, I cannot but also express my deep anguish at the growing sense of insecurity being created, in recent times, among minority communities. The unwarranted attacks on Christians during the recent Christmas celebrations in several parts of our country are a painful testimony to this trend.”
“Such incidents vitiate the moral fabric of our Nation, which has traditionally been peace-loving and encouraging of its diverse cultures, religions and traditions. Apart from causing pain to our Christian communities, these occurrences are in blatant disregard for the sacred values India has always stood for.”
Cardinal Ferrão said it is a cause for grave concern that, even though the Constitution of India mandates free and fair expression of the practice of one’s religion, “some communities are persecuted for celebrating their most cherished and important festivals, often with the tacit approval of the authorities.”
“As we venture into the year 2026, we appeal to the authorities concerned at all levels to own their constitutional responsibility and moral accountability and to act decisively and impartially, bringing the perpetrators to justice, thereby restoring the confidence of all citizens in the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of our great Nation,” stated Cardinal Ferrão.
“We also urge the overwhelming majority of our fellow countrymen – who continue to stand for harmony, justice and mutual respect – to join hands to counter the divisive forces and uphold the unity of our Nation. God bless our Country!”
