Set between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, Iraq (which was earlier known as Mesopotamia), is acknowledged as the cradle of civilization. Biblical scholars place the Garden of Eden between these two rivers. Pope Francis will be visiting this historically important country from March 5-8.
As is well known, the Pope is the head of the Vatican State and as per established protocol he can agree to visit a country only after he receives an official invitation from the State. Recently, the Holy Father visited Bangladesh and Myanmar bordering India, both with very small Catholic populations. Iraq too has only 0.3 million Catholics compared to India's 20 million Catholics. Our Catholic population is the 17th largest in the world , ahead of Canada, Australia, Holland and 150 plus countries. We need to convince our govt that Catholics matter. Our schools and colleges have touched the lives of the poorest to the richest in the land . Many ministers, top politicians and bureaucrats have passed through the hallowed corridors of our educational institutions. On several occasions they have acknowledged their debt to their Alma mater. This goodwill of the alumni must be leveraged by our Catholic leaders and legislators in the Centre and the states. Cutting across party affiliations they must take up matters of importance concerning our faith with these friendly officials. An invitation to the Holy Father to visit India, is one such matter that needs to be taken up.
