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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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
