Catholic Bishops of India appeal to all citizens

PANAJI: "All scriptures call for a life of peace and harmony. If Christians and all other believers live according to their scriptures, there will be peace," the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) that concluded its week-long plenary assembly stated in its appeal to citizens of India. The CCBI, consisting of 166 bishops in 128 dioceses is the biggest conference of bishops in Asia and the fourth biggest in the world, held its plenary assembly at Prabodhana, Pallottine Centre for Theological and Religious Formation, Rayanakere, Mysore.
The theme of the meeting was The word of God in the life and mission of the Church' and it was attended by over 116 bishops from all over India. Bishop of Mysore, most Rev Thomas Vazhapilly, together with his team, had made elaborate arrangements for the success of the meeting, first time held in the historical city of maharajahs.
Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, the ambassador of Vatican state to India and the Apostolic Nuncio in India, inaugurated the important meeting on February 12, 2009. The Pope's message was read out while the Pope's messenger called for inter-religious collaboration so that harmony and justice may prosper. "Concentrate on what unites us", he appealed to members of all religions, "and think of what we can do together to alleviate the suffering of humanity".
The CCBI spent two days in the study of the centrality of sacred scriptures in the life and mission of the Church.
Referring to extensive religious literature, sacred writings, spirituality and traditions of India, the bishops call them patrimony of the human family'. They further say, "We appreciate, among other things, the respect our people have for sacred texts and their thirst for contemplation".
Stating the importance of scriptures to the people of all religions, the bishops underlined the utmost importance of the Bible for Christians, and lamented the lack of adequate bible culture among Catholics.