CBCI writes to chief justice over Good Friday meeting

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed concern over the three-day meeting of all the chief justices of the states beginning on Good Friday.  In a letter written to the Chief Justice of India H L Dattu, CBCI deputy secretary general Fr. Joseph Chinnayyan said that the meeting shatters the centuries old faith that the sacred days of all religions, especially those of the minorities, are also considered sacrosanct.  “Good Friday for Christians all over the world is one of the most important days of the year, when the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity is remembered with devotion,” he said in the letter.  Recalling the Indian government’s decision to turn Christmas into Good Governance Day caused concern and dismay among Christians all over India, Fr. Chinnayyan said that for centuries Christmas, Good Friday and Easter have been observed with sanctity and piety by the Christians.  “Any move to minimize the importance of these days, either intentionally or unintentionally, hurt the feelings of the community,” he said.  He requested the Chief Justice of India to take cognizance of the “legitimate feelings of Christians in India and to adopt appropriate measures to reassure us that our legitimate religious sentiments be honored and the sacrosanct character of Good Friday and Christmas will be upheld."  This year Good Friday falls on April 3.  (Source: UCAN)