In a letter written to all parish priests in the capital, the Archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto, asked for a prayer campaign to be launched and also appealed for fasting on Fridays ahead of the 2019 general elections.
In the circular addressed to all parish priests and religious institutions in the Archdiocese of Delhi, Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto said, “We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation,” while urging the Christians to pray for the political leaders of the country as the general elections are nearing.
On the reference to “turbulent political atmosphere,” the Archbishop’s office clarified that the current situation was indeed a cause for concern but “in no way were they referring to any particular regime or party.” “The use of “new government” in the letter is being misinterpreted. After every election, a new government is formed whether it is of a new party or a party that may return to office again,” Father Rodrigues, the Archbishop’s secretary said.
When contacted, Father Robinson Rodrigues told a source that such prayer campaigns took place before every general election, but the exercise was being politicised this time.
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