Andhra Bishops support development of new states

They assured the support of the Catholic Church and Christian Community for just, inclusive, equitable and sustainable development of the new states.

(photo courtesy: thehindubusinessline.com)

Secunderabad:  The top body of Catholic bishops in Andhra Pradesh assured the support of the Christian Community for the sustainable development of the new states of Seemandhra and Telangana that came into being Monday.

The Andhra Pradesh Bishops’ Council (APBC), which is an apex body of the Catholic Church in both the states of Telangana and Seemandhra, promised prays for Telugu people to realize a “Bangaru Telangana” and “Swarna Andhra Pradesh” with prosperity, peace and harmony.

Their statement assured the support of the Catholic Church and Christian Community for just, inclusive, equitable and sustainable development of the new states.

A delegation of APBC including bishops and priests met the would-be Chief Ministers of both the states with view to extent their support and assure prays.

In a memorandum both the would-be chief ministers were reminded that the Church, though a minority, contributes over 25 percent of charitable services to the society in the fields of education, health care and social welfare, particularly to the poorer and weaker sections.

"To better these services, both the Chief Minister-elects were requested by APBC to take action on the urgent issues of the Church-run Educational Institutions and the concerns of the Christian Minority Community," a press release from APBC said.

A delegation of APBC May 21 met K. Chandrasekhar Rao, president of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) in Hyderabad, and congratulated him on being chosen as the first chief minister of Telangana.

The delegation was led by APBC secretary Bishop Poola Anthony of Kurnool. Others in delegation included Bishop G. Joji of Nalgonda, Bishop Udumala Bala of Warangal and APBC deputy secretary Father Anthoniraj Thumma.

Delegation’s appointment with Nara Chandrababu Naidu, President of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Chief Minister–elect of residuary Andhra Pradesh, was cancelled. APBC official Father Anthoniraj Thumma other leading priests greeted him the next day on behalf of APBC at TDP party office in Hyderabad.

Source: Press statement