Editorial Pick
Convenor of ICF writes open letters to four Indian Cardinals
Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team | 28-Apr-2025
In an open letter to Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, Cardinal Antony Poola, and Cardinal George Koovakad, Chhotebhai, the Convenor of the Indian Catholic Forum, wrote that the Catholic community in India is proud of them, that distinguished sons of this country, they would be in the Electoral College for choosing the next pope. He expressed his confidence that they will be guided by the Holy Spirit while making their decision. He reminds them that the Holy Spirit works through the hopes and aspirations of the People of God.
He also reminds them that the faithful draw inspiration from the solemn statement of the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church: “Every layman should openly reveal to them (pastors) their needs and desires with that freedom and confidence which befits a son of God and a brother of Christ. An individual layman, by reason of the knowledge, competence, or outstanding ability that he may enjoy, is permitted and sometimes even obliged to express his opinion on things that concern the good of the Church” (LG 37).
He placed before them four important points that should be taken into consideration before they enter the secret and sacred confines of the Sistine Chapel for the electoral process:
- For too long the Catholic Church has been identified with the power of the West. This was one of the determining factors for the Great Schism of the East in 1054.
- Today the Church needs to project its catholicism (universality), diversity and inclusiveness more than ever before. This universality should be mentally, spiritually and geographically.
- A glance at the universal Church shows a steep decline in Europe, led by secularised France, once considered the eldest daughter of the Church. North America, post Trump, is in a state of flux and needs to be kept at arm’s length. Latin America is seeing strong inroads into once Catholic bastions by evangelical churches. Besides, Pope Francis of beloved memory, was from that continent. That leaves Africa and Asia. The Church in Asia has stagnated, with pockets in the Philippines, South Korea and India (the last despite a 2000 year old legacy). The only continent where the Church seems to be vibrant and flourishing is Africa.
- It would therefore be a strong signal to the world and the Church itself if a person of colour were chosen as the next Pope. It could undoubtedly usher in a new era within the Church.
He concludes the open letter writing, “I hope and pray that this email reaches you wherever you are before you enter the Conclave”. This open letter was emailed to the cardinals individually on 25 April, 2025.
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