Oswald Gracias*

About 100,000 people attended his funeral with 65,000 taking the communion. A great intellectual, he was working on a new Indian missal. The Archbishop of Shillong died in a car accident in California on 11 October. “I have lost a friend,” writes Card Gracias.

The president of the Indian bishops was a great friend of the saint of Calcutta. In India "there is so much need for service". "As Jesus was thirsty, we too must be infected by the same thirst for God, the charisma of Mother Teresa".

The mourning of the Indian Bishops' Conference expressed by its president. The condolences to the whole political party. Vajpayee was "a great friend of the Christian community" and dreamed of India as "a multi-religious nation". He wanted a country free from discrimination and welcoming towards minorities. The memory of John Paul II's visit to India and the appreciation of Vajpayee.

About 500 Catholics took part in Ash Wednesday Mass in the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. They heard practical indications for the Lenten period. In lieu of abstinence, people can perform works of charity and exercises of piety. They can also benefit from the sacrament of reconciliation.

This year's goal is to improve livelihoods in order to achieve sustainable income, connecting “donors with our beneficiaries”. Children and youth are asked “to save part of their pocket money to contribute to this cause.”

The cardinal publishes a message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Observe this day as a day of prayer. In the present ecological crisis, "to place our trust in the Lord". On the first Friday of the month, an appeal to "stay together as a family".

The archbishop of Mumbai reflects on AsiaNews about the importance of the theme chosen by Francis for World Peace Day. "Only fraternity can save our beloved country from the evils of discrimination and social inequality. We are all brothers and sisters; we must live as a family to make the world a better place."