PANAJI
Blaming politicians for causing divisions on the basis of caste and religion, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu also appreciated the selfless work of the Church and described the Christians as a peaceful community which contributed much to the country's growth.
The vice-president was interacting with two Goan bishops, Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) Secretary General Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas and Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto, when they along with eight representatives from the Archdiocese of
Blaming politicians for causing divisions on the basis of caste and religion, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu also appreciated the selfless work of the Church and described the Christians as a peaceful community which contributed much to the country's growth.
The vice-president was interacting with two Goan bishops, Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) Secretary General Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas and Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto, when they along with eight representatives from the Archdiocese of
Delhi called on him on Thursday, states a CBCI press note.
Bishop Mascarenhas conveyed to Naidu the sentiments and wishes of the Catholic Bishops and the whole Catholic community in India. Archbishop Couto presented a bouquet of flowers, while Bishop Mascarenhas gifted Naidu a photo frame of St Joseph with Baby Jesus. Accepting the picture, Naidu said the image is a personification of compassion and love.
In an interaction, which lasted nearly an hour, the vice-president spoke eloquently about how India was a secular country from the very beginning and how people have been living in peace and harmony since ages. He said that he himself goes both to the Temple as well as the Dargah.
Blaming politicians for causing divisions on basis of caste and religion and using religious and caste groups as vote banks, Naidu said the common people were not interested in these issues. On the Gau Rakshak issue, he said the cow was important, but the human being was more important, the CBCI press note stated.
Appreciating the selfless work of the Church, he said the Christians are a peaceful community and contributed much to the growth of the country. He relived with joy his association with the late Archbishop of Hyderabad S Arulappa, who he said, had given him much affection.
To a query from one participant in the meeting, Naidu said peace and harmony would come about only if there was a change in mindsets.
Responding to another observation from a participant about the increase in attacks on Christians in Tamil Nadu and a District Magistrate's order in the state that churches should be registered if they were to be used for worship, Naidu promised to bring the matter to the attention of authorities in Tamil Nadu.
Bishop Mascarenhas conveyed to Naidu the sentiments and wishes of the Catholic Bishops and the whole Catholic community in India. Archbishop Couto presented a bouquet of flowers, while Bishop Mascarenhas gifted Naidu a photo frame of St Joseph with Baby Jesus. Accepting the picture, Naidu said the image is a personification of compassion and love.
In an interaction, which lasted nearly an hour, the vice-president spoke eloquently about how India was a secular country from the very beginning and how people have been living in peace and harmony since ages. He said that he himself goes both to the Temple as well as the Dargah.
Blaming politicians for causing divisions on basis of caste and religion and using religious and caste groups as vote banks, Naidu said the common people were not interested in these issues. On the Gau Rakshak issue, he said the cow was important, but the human being was more important, the CBCI press note stated.
Appreciating the selfless work of the Church, he said the Christians are a peaceful community and contributed much to the growth of the country. He relived with joy his association with the late Archbishop of Hyderabad S Arulappa, who he said, had given him much affection.
To a query from one participant in the meeting, Naidu said peace and harmony would come about only if there was a change in mindsets.
Responding to another observation from a participant about the increase in attacks on Christians in Tamil Nadu and a District Magistrate's order in the state that churches should be registered if they were to be used for worship, Naidu promised to bring the matter to the attention of authorities in Tamil Nadu.
