PANAJI
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of lndia (CBCI) has appealed to dioceses across the country to participate in the National Justice Day organised by the Jesuits in India on July 28 from 6 pm to 6.45 pm, to pay deep respects to the human rights activist late Fr Stan Swamy SJ and to carry forward his legacy.
“The death of Fr Stan Swamy has been a shock for all. We knew his health was precarious; that he was jailed on charges that were not established; that he was given rough treatment when incarcerated in the Taloja Jail. Our hearts went out to him. But when he passed away, we were numbed,” stated CBCI President and Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias in a letter to the bishops.
“We remember him with affection. The greatest tribute we can pay to him is to keep alive his vision: to work for the poor and the oppressed with dedication. Pope Francis reminds us of this often.”
“Fr Stanislaus D’Souza, Jesuit Provincial of South Asia (POSA), has called for a National Justice Day on July 28 to remember Fr Stan Swamy. We fully endorse this and I encourage every Bishop in his diocese to participate to the extent possible according to the local situation,” Cardinal Gracias added.
In an appeal, Provincial of the Goa Province of Jesuits Fr Roland Coelho has appealed to religious and civil heads to encourage the diocesan clergy, religious, laity, members of NGOs, staff and students of academic institutions, and people of all faiths to organise a peaceful and inclusive gathering in front of Churches, religious communities and institutions to mark National Justice Day on July 28 from 6 pm to 6.45 pm.
Fr Stanislaus D’Souza issued a press note stating that Fr Stan had left a message to people “not to be a silent spectator” amidst growing inequalities, violence, atrocities, discrimination and exclusion in the country.
“As a Jesuit, he committed himself to walk with the excluded, whose dignity is violated, in a mission of Reconciliation and Justice.”
“Stan’s death is not an end; it is yet another moment of awakening in our journey to affirm our faith in the Constitution of our country,” said Fr D’Souza.
“Stan’s death is a moment of deep consolation, as he has united people across cultures, religions and nationalities to walk boldly and courageously in the path of justice to human family and creation. Stan Swamy stands tall today as an icon of justice to the marginalized. In his death, he has risen in the hearts of many as a cult figure,” he added.
