Archbishop of Bangalore calls for Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace, harmony in Country
Urges citizens to fast and pray on March 22 over various socio-political issues plaguing country
Bangalore: Most Rev. Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bangalore and the President of the Karnataka Regional Bishops' Conference, along with being the Chairman of the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, issued a press release urging citizens to observe Friday, 22nd March 2024 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace and harmony in India.
Expressing concerns over various socio-political issues plaguing the country, Archbishop Peter Machado highlighted the increasing impoverishment of the masses, the growing monopoly of crony capitalists, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. He also noted the worsening unemployment among educated youth, large-scale migration of the rural poor, and the proliferation of hate speeches.
The press release emphasized the systematic erosion of fundamental rights, including the right to citizenship, as well as the dilution of minority rights. Archbishop Machado condemned the frequent bulldozing of homes, shops, and places of worship belonging to minorities, along with the harassment faced by individuals serving in orphanages, hostels, and educational institutions.
Furthermore, Archbishop Machado lamented the state of politics in India, which he described as being afflicted by populism, polarization, post-truth, and personality cults. He voiced concerns over the weakening of democratic institutions, the undermining of the federal structure, and the co-opting of the media by dominant forces.
In response to this distressing situation, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) called for a Day of Prayer and Fasting on 22nd March 2024. The Archbishop urged citizens to engage in prayer, fasting, and recitation of a special prayer prepared by the CBCI. He also emphasized the importance of participating in a Rosary campaign organized in every parish and apostolic institution.
Archbishop Machado appealed to political leaders to uphold the basic structure of the Constitution and urged citizens to exercise their voting rights responsibly in the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections. He underscored the importance of choosing leaders committed to constitutional values and the upliftment of the poor.
Additionally, Archbishop Machado reiterated demands for the official recognition of Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians and the protection of rights for other discriminated minorities. He called upon the government to refrain from any attempts to deprive Christian tribals of their Scheduled Tribe status.
Archbishop Peter Machado urged all citizens, as loyal and concerned citizens of India, to unite in prayer and fasting on 22nd March 2024, seeking divine intervention for the welfare of the country and its leaders. He prayed for the emergence of leaders who are secular, non-communal, non-corrupt, and dedicated to democratic principles, regardless of caste, creed, class, culture, color, or community.
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Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
