Panaji: The future of the world and the Church passes through India and through Asia and the people living here, a senior Vatican representative said on Wednesday.
The delegation of Vatican representatives led by His Excellency Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the substitute for the Secretariat of state at the Vatican and the third highest-ranking official in the Holy Catholic Church, was received at Goa Raj Bhavan by Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai.
The delegation is down in Goa to participate in the Decennial Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa. It included two Cardinal-designates Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad and His Excellency Rolandas Makrickas besides others.
Archbishop of Goa and Daman His Eminence Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao was also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra said that in this moment of the world, it is necessary to reinforce dialogue and it is necessary to invest in communication amongst us (communities).
He said that the authorities and the Church must spend all efforts to talk to each other and that is the best way to bring the people and the country together.
Referring to the Cardinal-designates Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad, Archbishop Parra said that he is very happy that Holy Father (Pope) has chosen the priest (George) who will represent the entire Church of India.
“We are happy that the Holy Father has in his heart India. He has in his heart Asia. We know the future of the world and the future of Church pass through India, pass through Asia and these people,” he added.
Talking about his visit to the Exposition of Relics of St Francis Xavier, the Archbishop said that he felt touched with the experience of how the government is working together with the Church (to hold the event).
“Probably eight million people will be visiting this year. The relics of St Francis Xavier, people are working very hard and together with the church,” he said.
“I bring to you the blessing and greetings of Pope Francis. When I met him, he allowed me to greet you and the church and the government,” he added.
Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai hailed the role of Church in the Education sector. “In kerala, I studies in christian school, I can say Kerala is cent per cent literate state in india mostly due to missionaries and christian schools in Kerala who achieved this goal,” he said.
Talking about the visit of the Vatican, this is an auspicious moment in my life and the history of Raj Bhavan, as we welcome a distinguished nine-member delegation from the Vatican.
“I am delighted to say that I have invited this delegation of high-ranking personalities from Rome, providing the people of Goa with the opportunity to celebrate this prestigious moment,” the Governor said.
