Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the archbishop of Mumbai, has concelebrated Mass on the feast day of St. Joseph in a way which condemns the violence perpetrated against women in India.
According to AsiaNews, in his homily yesterday, the nation’s bishops’ conference president decried «the atrocities that happen in so many parts of our country and for the Middle East,» as well as «the nun who was violated» in West Bengal.
The archbishop also led a Mass of reparation–which he concelebrated along with three other bishops and 36 priests–for the desecration of the convent of Jesus and Mary, and for the agression against its superior.
When a 72-year-old sister tried to stop a robbery, she was raped and hospitalized. Indians have taken to the streets in outrage and the international community has condemned the attacks.
«I ask from Saint Joseph of Nazareth a special prayer for the Church in India, especially for the nun who was violated,» Cardinal Gracias prayed during the Mass.
Specifically, the archbishop prayed that «the values of the Gospel may permeate society.»
«Without these inalienable values, life would no longer have any dignity,» he said.
Cardinal Gracias also underscored that special prayers will be said for the women of India, «for their safety and their dignity,» as well as for «minorities, farmers, Dalits, Adivasis and all vulnerable sections of society.»
