Christians In India Hail Cardinal Dias' Vatican Appointment
May 29, 2006
The appointment of Cardinal Ivan Dias of Bombay as the head of a Vatican congregation is a recognition of Asian culture and leadership, according to Church leaders and others in India.
NEW DELHI (UCAN, May 24, 2006) -- "It is a matter of pride for India and Asia," Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi said, welcoming the news of Cardinal Dias' appointment. What is most important in the appointment is that it ensures the presence of an Asian cardinal in the Vatican, added the head of the Catholic Church in India.
Swami Agnivesh, a leader member of the Hindu reformist group Arya Samaj, expressed happiness that "an Indian has been appointed." In his view, Cardinal Dias "will be able to put across the Indian perspective."
On May 20, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Dias, 70, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, succeeding Italian Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, 62, who was named archbishop of Naples.
Cardinal Dias is the first Asian to head the 384-year-old congregation that oversees missionary endeavors and mission dioceses around the world. Most of the 1,100 dioceses that come under its purview are in Asia and Africa.
Speaking with UCA News May 22, Cardinal Toppo said Cardinal Dias "understands Asia better" and has had "vast experience" as a Vatican diplomat in many Asian and African countries. He described the new prefect as "a veteran, rich in experience," who will be able to better assist Churches in Asia and Africa. "I am not speaking of the material help. His understanding of our culture can greatly help us grow," Cardinal Toppo elaborated.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) president continued, saying that people of Asia will now be able to approach the Vatican congregation easily, and that Cardinal Dias can apprise the pope and other cardinals of "our specific needs" since he "will be meeting the Holy Father regularly."
While addressing media persons in Ranchi May 22, Cardinal Toppo said God has a "special eye for India" and has chosen "the right man" from the country to "serve him in the most important office in the Vatican."
Father Donald De Souza, outgoing CBCI deputy secretary general, called the appointment "wonderful news for the Church of India" that has "several implications for the Asian Church, and in particular the Indian Church." Cardinal Dias' promotion is a "recognition of the Asian Church and the merging leadership," he said. "It shows that we have an equal place."
According to Swami Agnivesh, an Indian or other Asian Christian is "very different" from a Western Christian. Christianity in the West "marches on triumphalism," he explained, whereas its counterpart in the East "is meek as a lamb" but is "not weak." The Hindu leader added that he is "sure Cardinal Dias will be able to make an impact" globally.
CBCI spokesperson Father Babu Joseph noted that Cardinal Dias is the second Indian to head a Vatican office, the first being Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy, who headed the Congregation for the Oriental Churches from 1985 to 1991.
Bishop Allwyn Baretto of Sindhudurg, ordained bishop last October for the new diocese in the ecclesiastical province headed by Bombay archdiocese, said Cardinal Dias would not only help boost Church-related works in Asia, but also help people in Rome understand "our culture" better.
On the other hand, Father Mousinho de Ataide, a priest in Goa archdiocese, cautioned against focusing too much attention on India and expressed the hope that Cardinal Dias would "rise above all that."
Catholics in Bombay archdiocese, which Cardinal Dias headed from 1996, after serving for three decades in the Holy See's Secretariat of State and diplomatic corps, were jubilant about his new assignment. "His zeal and untiring efforts to spread the Word of God have earned him the important mission. He is a polyglot cardinal with clarity of thought," archdiocesan spokesperson Father Anthony Charanghatt told UCA News. Bombay is the former name of Mumbai, India's largest city, located on its western coast about 1,410 kilometers southwest of New Delhi.
Father Francis D'Britto, spokesperson of Vasai diocese, a suffragan of Bombay archdiocese like Sindhudurg, says Cardinal Dias "will do well" in his new post, just as he did in his previous international appointments.
Prior to his appointment to head Bombay archdiocese, Cardinal Dias served as apostolic pro-nuncio to Benin, Ghana and Togo from 1982, and then as apostolic nuncio to South Korea from 1987 and nuncio to Albania from 1991.
Catholic Secular Forum, a lay organization in Bombay archdiocese, hailed the appointment as the "coming of age of the Catholic Church in India."
Samantha Peters, a parishioner, says India has recognized the Church's need for evangelization and mission work. Cardinal Dias' experience in India, where some states have imposed anti-conversion laws, will help him address restrictions on missionary activities in other parts of the world, she said.
Julie Fernandes, another parishioner, said Bombay Catholics will miss their leader but know the appointment "is a platform for greater works."
Christians In India Hail Cardinal Dias' Vatican Appointment