New Delhi: A letter from the Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto has stirred up a fresh controversy as he calls all the priests to “pray for the country” as the 2019 Lok Sabha election approaches. He spoke of a “turbulent political atmosphere” in the country that threatens democracy and secularism.
BJP spokesperson Shaina N C has accused the Archbishop of suggesting the people to “vote for one party and not another.” “You can tell them to vote for the right candidate or party. It is wrong to try and instigate castes or communities”, she added.
However, the letter that was addressed to all the churches in New Delhi dated May 8, doesn’t favour any particular candidate or party. It merely asks for a prayer campaign as well as a day of fasting every week, keeping the nation in mind. Attached with the letter, came a prayer that was meant to be read at Sunday masses.
The letter read: “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. It is our hallowed practice to pray for our country and its political leaders all the time but all the more so when we approach the general elections. As we look forward towards 2019 when we will have a new government, let us begin a prayer campaign for our country from May 13.”
The prayer that was attached with the letter read: “May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders. This is our cry, Heavenly Father, in these troubled times as we see the clouds eclipsing the light of truth, justice and freedom.”
The Archbishop denied any political motivation behind the prayer. He said that it was a standard practice during the time of elections.
“We have only asked the churches to pray for one day a week. It is only a request for people to pray for the country”, the Archbishop clarified adding that it did not pertain to the Modi government.
The Archbishop said he was merely concerned for the state of the country considering what can be seen in the “newspapers and media, with regard to eating habits of people, lynching incidents and also the four judges coming out in public and all these things happening at the level of judiciary.”
“I am raising concerns”, he said and added that as law abiding citizens of India, all need to be concerned.
