Do justice, love mercy: Indian Church

The Archbishop recalled prophet Micah’s quote, "Do justice, love mercy" and said that the phrase enlightened Christians on how to respond to the "signs of the times".

Patna:  Archbishop William D' Souza of Patna urged the faithful to show "an active commitment to justice" during a recent workshop on the Social Doctrine of the Church organized by the Justice, Peace and Development Commission of the Bishops' Conference of India.

“The defence of the rights of the most vulnerable is a priority for the Church,” the prelate said in Patna, the capital of the Indian state of Bihar.

The Archbishop recalled prophet Micah’s quote, "Do justice, love mercy" and said that the phrase enlightened Christians on how to respond to the "signs of the times".

The 45 participants in the workshop discussed key issues that affect society and the Church. The challenges for the Church, especially in the state of Bihar, are the defence of the rights of women and children, the caste system still in force and the discrimination against religious minorities in a predominantly Hindu nation.

“The Social Doctrine of the Church is not just pure theory but is a call to social commitment,” said Father Charles Irudayam, Secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission.

Priests, lay people, delegates and experts from the dioceses of Bihar attended the workshop.

The participants remarked that by following Pope Francis' style and recommendations, the Church in India was rediscovering the importance of making serious discernment and effective social action, in order to actualize and embody the fundamental principles of the social doctrine such as solidarity and the preferential option for the poor in the Indian reality.

Source: Agenzia Fides