PANAJI
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed deep sadness over the passing away of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
“In his death, India has lost one of its tallest leaders and the world bids goodbye to one of its greatest statesmen. The Christian community has lost a friend who was attentive to its needs and gave a patient hearing to its concerns,” said CBCI President Cardinal Oswald Gracias in a press release on Friday.
“We thank God for sending among us such a great soul, a gentleman to the core, a kind-hearted person in word and action, one who had friends and admirers across the political and ideological spectrum.”
Recalling his several meetings with Vajpayee, Cardinal Gracias said, “Every meeting was a delight because of the warmth of his person, his sharp intellect and his passion for the country. He wanted an India where no one was excluded, no one suffered want, and everyone enjoyed the benefits of progress.”
“In my various meetings with the great man, I always had the feeling of being in the presence of a gracious gentleman full of warmth, most reasonable in our discussions, and always eager to find a way forward.”
Cardinal Gracias also remembered with joy and nostalgia the meeting between Vajpayee and Pope St John Paul II during the Holy Father’s visit to India in 1999.
“He thanked the Pope for being in India on the happy occasion of Deepavali...He observed that perhaps the papal visit added more light to the festival,” recalled the cardinal.
He said the Catholic Church also remembered with affection the very special admiration Vajpayee had for St Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Cardinal Gracias said the nation would remember Vajpayee as a leader who believed in India as a multi-religious nation and yearned for a country where everyone lived in peace and harmony.
“What marked him out was his graceful dealings with all. He will be remembered as a person who cultivated warm human relationships cutting across religious, political or regional divides,” said Cardinal Gracias.
