Cardinal Oswald Gracias Condemns: Burn A Koran Campaign”

NEW DELHI, Sept. 03, 2010, 10:00 Hrs (CBCI News):

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai has issued, September 1, the following statement on the alleged report of a Christian group’s threat to burn Koran in the United States on Sept.11.

It was deeply distressing to read in the Media reports that a certain Church in the United States of America was planning to organize “Burn a Koran Campaign” on September 11, 2010. This was all the more shocking because such a campaign goes totally contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In His life and teaching Jesus respected all religions and all men and women who sincerely seek God and His Will in their lives. All Christians are called to do likewise.

Hence on behalf of all the Christian leaders of Mumbai and the Christian Community here, we disassociate ourselves from the planned programme and condemn it as contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. As President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, I also condemn, on behalf of the whole Catholic Church in India, this totally insensitive and disrespectful act towards the Holy Koran.

The teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ constantly stresses on the love of our neighbor. The Christian Community joins all those wanting to promote peace and harmony in our society already torn by so much of violence. We hope and pray that better sense will prevail and the planned program of 9/11 will be cancelled.

+ Oswald Cardinal Gracias
President,
Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI)