Bishops’ Conference appeals for proactive protection to Christians
Lucknow/New Delhi: Stating that millions of Christian families in India are celebrating the festival of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he wishes that the spirit of Christmas brings happiness into everyone’s life.
The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering in Lucknow where he inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal on the 101st birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Modi also attended a Christmas morning service at the Cathedral of the Redemption in the national capital along with a large congregation of Christians of Delhi and north India.
The service included prayers, carols, hymns and a special prayer for the Prime Minister by Rt Rev Dr Paul Swarup, the Bishop of Delhi.
“Attended the Christmas morning service at The Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi. The service reflected the timeless message of love, peace and compassion. May the spirit of Christmas inspire harmony and goodwill in our society,” Modi said in a post on X.
Earlier, the Prime Minister greeted citizens on Christmas. “Wishing everyone a joyous Christmas filled with peace, compassion and hope. May the teachings of Jesus Christ strengthen harmony in our society,” he said in another post on X.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath on Christmas Eve appealed to Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and chief ministers of various states to ensure strict enforcement of law and extend proactive protection to Christian communities across the country.
In a video appeal to the Prime Minister released by the CBCI, the Archbishop expressed “deep pain” over the “disturbing rise in attacks on Christians” and said such incidents deeply wound the spirit of India’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
The Archbishop, in his appeal, said the message of Christmas, of Christmas carols and prayers is that of peace, joy, hope and harmony.
“But today, as I meet you, it is with deep pain and concern that I speak over the disturbing rise in attacks on Christians in several parts of our country. During this holy Christmas season, we are pained to hear about it,” the Archbishop said.
Over the last few years, PM Modi has been regularly attending programmes connected with the Christian community. During Easter in 2023, he attended a programme at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Delhi.
On Christmas in 2023, he hosted a programme at his residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi.
In 2024, he attended a dinner at the residence of Minister George Kurian and also a programme hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. This shows a regular engagement with the community, sources said.
The Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow features 65-feet bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya, and a lotus-shaped museum spread over 98,000 square feet, which Modi visited.
Addressing a public gathering after the inauguration, Modi said, “The BJP is proud that our government had the opportunity to tear down the wall of Article 370,” adding that the legacy of good governance created by the BJP-led NDA government was now being taken to new heights at both the Centre and state levels.
“We must not forget how after Independence, a tendency developed to attribute every positive achievement to a single family,” he said.
