<p>Archbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao has said that the Constitution is in danger and that many people are living in an atmosphere of insecurity.</p>

<p>In a letter addressed to Christians, he said the Constitution should be understood better as general elections are drawing closer. The archbishop also said that human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril.</p>

<p>The letter, issued in the beginning of Pastoral Year that lasts from June 1 to May 31, is addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.</p>

<p>"Today, our Constitution is in danger (and that is) the reason why most of the people are living in insecurity," the archbishop said.</p>

<p>"In this context, particularly as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our constitution better and work harder to protect it," the letter stated.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-secular-fabric-under-threat-delhi-archbishop-138795">India's secular fabric under threat, says Delhi Archbishop</a></p>

<p>The archbishop said that "in recent times, we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, dress, live and even worship: a kind of mono-culturalism."</p>

<p>"Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril," Ferrao said, adding that "various minorities fear for their safety. In short, respect for law is frankly on the decline in this country."</p>

<p>He said that people were being uprooted from their land and homes in the name of development and quoted Pope Francis who said that "the first victim of development is the poor person".</p>

<p>"It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor, because those who will raise their voice for them are very few," he added.</p>

<p>The archbishop called for the participation of Catholics and Church communities in politics and social causes.</p>

<p>"Our parishes and small Christian communities ought to be immersed in this mission of the Church. They should be open to the problems of the world. This social concern should not only remain within the confines of the parish community but should reach out to the whole state and country at large," Ferrao said in the letter.</p>

<p>He said that it was advisable that the faithful play an active role in the political field.</p>

<p>They should, however, follow the dictates of their conscience while doing so and shun "sycophantic" politics, he added.</p>

<p>"They should thus strengthen democracy and, on the other hand, help to improve the functioning of the state administration," he said.</p>

<p>The archbishop also expressed concern about malnutrition among children in the country.</p>

<p>"According to global multidimensional poverty index, 30% of the global population of children living in poverty reside in India," he said.</p>

<p>"Why India is struck by extreme poverty? 73% of our country's resources are controlled by 10% of the population. The existing extreme poverty is therefore the result of rampant social injustice prevailing in the country," the archbishop said.</p>

<p>Notably, Delhi archbishop Anil Couto had last month stated in a letter that a "turbulent political atmosphere" posed a threat to India's democratic principles and secular fabric.</p>

<p>In his letter to all parish priests and religious institutions in Delhi archdiocese, Couto had also appealed to the followers of his faith to launch a "prayer campaign" ahead of the 2019 general elections.</p>


Father Filipe Neri Ferrao said, in a letter, that with the general elections drawing closer, the Constitution should be better understood. He added that human rights are under attack and that democracy appears to be in peril

Archbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao has said that the Constitution is in danger and that many people are living in an atmosphere of insecurity. In a letter addressed to Christians, he said the Constitution should be understood better as general elections are drawing closer. The archbishop also said that human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril. The letter, issued in the beginning of Pastoral Year that lasts from June 1 to May 31, is addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. "Today, our Constitution is in danger (and that is) the reason why most of the people are living in insecurity," the archbishop said. "In this context, particularly as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our constitution better and work harder to protect it," the letter stated. Also read: India's secular fabric under threat, says Delhi Archbishop The archbishop said that "in recent times, we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, dress, live and even worship: a kind of mono-culturalism." "Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril," Ferrao said, adding that "various minorities fear for their safety. In short, respect for law is frankly on the decline in this country." He said that people were being uprooted from their land and homes in the name of development and quoted Pope Francis who said that "the first victim of development is the poor person". "It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor, because those who will raise their voice for them are very few," he added. The archbishop called for the participation of Catholics and Church communities in politics and social causes. "Our parishes and small Christian communities ought to be immersed in this mission of the Church. They should be open to the problems of the world. This social concern should not only remain within the confines of the parish community but should reach out to the whole state and country at large," Ferrao said in the letter. He said that it was advisable that the faithful play an active role in the political field. They should, however, follow the dictates of their conscience while doing so and shun "sycophantic" politics, he added. "They should thus strengthen democracy and, on the other hand, help to improve the functioning of the state administration," he said. The archbishop also expressed concern about malnutrition among children in the country. "According to global multidimensional poverty index, 30% of the global population of children living in poverty reside in India," he said. "Why India is struck by extreme poverty? 73% of our country's resources are controlled by 10% of the population. The existing extreme poverty is therefore the result of rampant social injustice prevailing in the country," the archbishop said. Notably, Delhi archbishop Anil Couto had last month stated in a letter that a "turbulent political atmosphere" posed a threat to India's democratic principles and secular fabric. In his letter to all parish priests and religious institutions in Delhi archdiocese, Couto had also appealed to the followers of his faith to launch a "prayer campaign" ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Constitution in danger, most people living in insecurity: Archbishop of Goa

<p>The Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto has set off a firestorm with a letter saying the country's secular fabric is under threat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"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," Couto says in his letter.</p>

<p>"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 from May 13," he adds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter has been sent to all of Delhi's churches along with a prayer. The letter says the prayer should be read out at Sunday mass.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Couto has also asked for fasting on Fridays.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The archbishop's secretary said prayer campaigns are conducted before every election. But that this one is being politicised.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the Govt or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread. Its just an invitation for prayers, and such letters have been written in the past too: Father Robinson, Secretary to Archbishop of Delhi <a href="https://t.co/YTpCoKq8K0">pic.twitter.com/YTpCoKq8K0</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/998778800434446336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When a govt has finished its term & in elections a govt is elected, it is a new govt. Letter doesn't say a different govt, it says new govt. So, I don't see anything controversial with the term new govt: Father Nigel Barret, Spokesperson, Bombay Archdiocese. <a href="https://t.co/1teidyKd2u">pic.twitter.com/1teidyKd2u</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/998788421886754816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion & castes.We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset: MA Naqvi, Minority Affairs Min on Archbishop's letter to priests asking to "pray for country" ahead of 2019 elections <a href="https://t.co/vYA58YsFro">pic.twitter.com/vYA58YsFro</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/998782389965897728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders. This is our cry, Heavenly Father, in these troubled times as we see the clouds eclipsing the light of truth, justice and freedom," said the prayer sent out with the archbishop's letter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WlwTEV1bKAE" width="560"></iframe></p>


'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,' Anil Couto says in a letter sent out to all of Delhi's churches

The Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto has set off a firestorm with a letter saying the country's secular fabric is under threat. "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," Couto says in his letter. "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 from May 13," he adds. The letter has been sent to all of Delhi's churches along with a prayer. The letter says the prayer should be read out at Sunday mass. Couto has also asked for fasting on Fridays. The archbishop's secretary said prayer campaigns are conducted before every election. But that this one is being politicised. The Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the Govt or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread. Its just an invitation for prayers, and such letters have been written in the past too: Father Robinson, Secretary to Archbishop of Delhi pic.twitter.com/YTpCoKq8K0 — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018 × When a govt has finished its term & in elections a govt is elected, it is a new govt. Letter doesn't say a different govt, it says new govt. So, I don't see anything controversial with the term new govt: Father Nigel Barret, Spokesperson, Bombay Archdiocese. pic.twitter.com/1teidyKd2u — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018 × PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion & castes.We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset: MA Naqvi, Minority Affairs Min on Archbishop's letter to priests asking to "pray for country" ahead of 2019 elections pic.twitter.com/vYA58YsFro — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018 × "May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders. This is our cry, Heavenly Father, in these troubled times as we see the clouds eclipsing the light of truth, justice and freedom," said the prayer sent out with the archbishop's letter.

India's secular fabric under threat: Archbishop of Delhi

<p>As expected, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-secular-fabric-under-threat-delhi-archbishop-138795">letter</a> by Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto has set off a firestorm of controversy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter, which was sent to all of Delhi's churches, had said India's secular fabric is under threat. The letter had also asked for prayers before the 2019 election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh responded to the letter saying India was a country where minorities are safe, and that no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion or caste.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have not seen the letter, but I want to say India is one of those countries where minorities are safe and no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of caste and religion," Singh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other reactions however were more forceful.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh said "every action has a reaction". Adding, "I won't take a step that disrupts communal harmony. But if church asks people to pray so that Modi government isn't formed, country will have to think that people from other religions will do 'kirtan pooja'."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the "PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion and castes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The archbishop's secretary, Father Robinson, meanwhile said that "the Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the government or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that prayer campaigns have been called for earlier too. But that this one is being politicised.&nbsp;</p>


The letter, which was sent to all of Delhi's churches, had said India's secular fabric is under threat. The letter had also asked for a prayer campaign before the 2019 election

As expected, the letter by Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto has set off a firestorm of controversy. The letter, which was sent to all of Delhi's churches, had said India's secular fabric is under threat. The letter had also asked for prayers before the 2019 election. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh responded to the letter saying India was a country where minorities are safe, and that no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion or caste. "I have not seen the letter, but I want to say India is one of those countries where minorities are safe and no one is allowed to discriminate on the basis of caste and religion," Singh said. Other reactions however were more forceful. Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh said "every action has a reaction". Adding, "I won't take a step that disrupts communal harmony. But if church asks people to pray so that Modi government isn't formed, country will have to think that people from other religions will do 'kirtan pooja'." Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the "PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion and castes." "We can only ask them to think with progressive mindset," he added. The archbishop's secretary, Father Robinson, meanwhile said that "the Archbishop's letter is not political, neither it is against the government or against the honourable PM. Misinformation should not be spread." He added that prayer campaigns have been called for earlier too. But that this one is being politicised.

India a country where minorities are safe: Rajnath Singh on archbishop's letter

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Constitution in danger, most people living in insecurity: Archbishop of Goa

India's secular fabric under threat: Archbishop of Delhi

India a country where minorities are safe: Rajnath Singh on archbishop's letter