04/04/2014, 00.00
INDIA
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For Karnataka bishop, future elected officials must respect human dignity and religious freedom

by Henry D'Souza*
In the Diocese of Bellary, the Catholic and other Christian communities are constituted largely of Dalits. Speaking to AsiaNews, the prelate noted that it is important for them to exercise "their right to vote," which they should do "with intelligence and good sense" by "choosing leaders who can really bring reforms to the country." At the same time, he calls on the authorities to improve education and health care.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Electing politicians who promote human dignity and freedom of religion and conscience is what Mgr Henry D' Souza, bishop of Bellary (Karnataka), wants.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the prelate, who heads a diocese made up largely of Dalits (untouchables), said that the latter are more open to the message of evangelisation of the Catholic Church, but have largely been "abandoned" by the authorities.

As this year's general election approaches, with its first phase beginning this Sunday, the prelate focused on the issues that affect his community: great poverty, poor education and inadequate health care. Such matters affect especially "families, children and young people."

Here is Mgr D'Souza thoughts (Adaptation by AsiaNews).

About 30,000 Catholics and many other Christians live in the three districts covered by the Diocese of Bellary. We have tried to raise awareness and motivate them, explaining the importance of exercising their right to vote with intelligence and good sense.

People should not let themselves be fooled by immediate gains, but should instead have a more long-term vision, choosing leaders who can really bring reforms to the country.

It is not just a matter of voting, but of making the right choice with the right intention. It is about the ability of getting our representatives to be loyal to the people and ensure them a life of dignity and freedom. The people I am referring to belong to the Dalit community and are more open to evangelisation.

In view of this, it is even more important that people vote, so that they can protect and guarantee their freedom of religion and conscience. Our families need religious freedom because faith sustains, nourishes and strengthens.

In addition to this, there is an urgent need for jobs to give families economic self-sufficiency.

Children, who are our future, need quality education. Here, the Catholic Church has been the first to get involved in education. And the government should do the same by investing in good schools for the next generation.

Young people have to learn how to become successful leaders. They need scientific training to become good farmers and animal breeders. The future lies in ploughshares, not guns; people do not live on bullets.

Recently, we organised a workshop for some of them. However, we should do something similar at the national level.

Here, in northern Karnataka, the health care system is very sick, and people are outraged. It is imperative for them to enjoy full human dignity.

The status of women is also a critical issue, and our representatives must work for their emancipation, providing young women with appropriate training and development programmes.

It is urgent for us who are in the Church to improve our leading role in society, especially in areas like politics and social development.

I call on young people to proclaim without fear their friendship with Jesus and nurture a sense of the Church, offering their talents and energies to the service of the Church, who is your mother.

*Bishop of the Diocese of Bellary (Karnataka)

(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)

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