Prayers and fasting ahead of the 2019 elections; an Archbishop’s letter 

After the Assembly elections, the next set of elections that all are eagerly looking forward too is the 2019 elections.

While the political leaders are preparing for the next big elections, so did this Archbishop with this letter.

The Archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto, in a letter addressed to all churches of the national capital, has asked them to start a campaign of fasting and prayers ahead of the 2019 general elections, citing the “turbulent political atmosphere” threatening democracy and secularism in the country thereby kick-starting a political controversy.

“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,” the Archbishop’s letter said.

 “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 new government let us begin a prayer campaign for our country,” states the letter.

“I request that we observe a day of fast every Friday of the week by forgoing at least one meal and offering our penance and all our sacrifices for our spiritual renewal and that of our nation. Moreover, I earnestly request that we organize an hour of Eucharistic adoration every Friday at a convenient time in all our parishes, religious houses and institution specifically praying for our nation. During this Adoration the enclosed Prayer may be recited,” the letter added.

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Reacting to the letter, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said: “PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion and castes. We can only ask them to think with a progressive mindset.”

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Rakesh Sinha termed the move as a “direct attack on Indian secularism and democracy”.

“This is a direct attack by the Church on Indian secularism and democracy, and this is a direct intervention by the Vatican as these Bishops are appointed by the Pope. Their accountability is not to India but to Pope,” Sinha said.

“Another big reason for this is after the formation of the Prime Minister Modi’s government, church-oriented NGOs, received less money due to stricter laws. The Church organisations used to take this money for a variety of cause but in reality, utilise this only for religious conversions. They want a government to be made so that their conversion business flourishes,” Sinha added.

Sinha also took to Twitter to vent his thoughts on the matter: 

Missionaries by meddling in politics giving bad name to Indian Christians. “Conversion Enterprise’ is facing threat under nationalist government. cash flow under FCRA is reduced from RS 17773 crores in 2015-16 to 6795 crores in16-17. This had hit them very hard.

— Prof Rakesh Sinha (@RakeshSinha01) May 21, 2018

BJP’s spokesperson Shaina NC told news agency, “It is wrong to try and instigate castes and communities. You can tell them to vote for a right candidate or party but to suggest to vote for one party and not another and term yourself as secular versus pseudo-secular is unfortunate.”

The letter was sent with a prayer that he said must be read at masses on Sunday.

THE ARCHBISHOP’S OFFICE

Meanwhile t,he archbishop’s office states that such prayer campaigns took place before every general election, but the exercise was being politicised this time.

The call for prayer for peace and free and fair elections happens before every election. It happened in 2014 and before that too.

Only this time a political colour is being deliberately given to the whole exercise by some people,” Father Rodrigues said.

On the reference to “turbulent political atmosphere,” the Archbishop’s office clarified that the current situation was indeed a cause for concern but “in no way were they referring to any particular regime or party.” “The use of “new government” in the letter is being misinterpreted. After every election, a new government is formed whether it is of a new party or a party that may return to office again,” Father Rodrigues, the Archbishop’s secretary said.