Bombay Archbishop Urges Prayer Crusade Against Anti-Christian Films
PRAYER CRUSADE AGAINST ANTI-CHRISTIAN FILMS
In recent times big and small screen films on Christianity have been produced which distort history and are extremely offensive to Christian principles and practices. Some gratuitously fabricate tales about the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is most dear to the heart of every Christian and is respected even by persons of other faiths, or treat with ridicule those who are laudably giving selfless and a much appreciated service to God and humanity.
We strongly deplore the tendentious nature of these films, which sadly reveal the morose mindset of those responsible for their production. It is indeed amazing that in today’s civilised society there should be persons who, with devilish glee, take pride in blaspheming against the sacred person of Christ Jesus Our Lord or in smearing the good reputation of persons consecrated in His service. However, we are confident that the members of the competent Film Censor Board will not ignore the sentiments and reactions of those many who are deeply pained by the scandalous presentations, also because they can negatively affect the harmonious relations existing between Christians and the other religious communities which make up our beloved Motherland.
Believing that “more things are wrought by prayer than the world can dream of”, we exhort the Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of Bombay to present the aforementioned film producers and their troupes to the Lord during the parish Masses, at meetings of ecclesial associations and communities, and in their family and personal prayer. Let us earnestly implore Him to forgive those who do not realise the seriousness of their offences against Him and their fellow-citizens, and to enlighten those who are evil-minded so that they may change their behaviour well before they appear at the judgement seat of God who alone knows the secrets of the human heart.
We strongly deplore the tendentious nature of these films, which sadly reveal the morose mindset of those responsible for their production. It is indeed amazing that in today’s civilised society there should be persons who, with devilish glee, take pride in blaspheming against the sacred person of Christ Jesus Our Lord or in smearing the good reputation of persons consecrated in His service. However, we are confident that the members of the competent Film Censor Board will not ignore the sentiments and reactions of those many who are deeply pained by the scandalous presentations, also because they can negatively affect the harmonious relations existing between Christians and the other religious communities which make up our beloved Motherland.
Believing that “more things are wrought by prayer than the world can dream of”, we exhort the Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of Bombay to present the aforementioned film producers and their troupes to the Lord during the parish Masses, at meetings of ecclesial associations and communities, and in their family and personal prayer. Let us earnestly implore Him to forgive those who do not realise the seriousness of their offences against Him and their fellow-citizens, and to enlighten those who are evil-minded so that they may change their behaviour well before they appear at the judgement seat of God who alone knows the secrets of the human heart.
+ Ivan Cardinal Dias
Archbishop of Bombay
April 30, 2006
Also See:
Tags: Mumbai Bombay Archbishop Archdiocese Cardinal Catholic
- Cardinal Dias Appointed Prefect of Congregation of Evangelization of Peoples
- Bombay Archdiocesan Healing Ministry
- MUMBAI: Cardinal Dias Deplores Offensive Movies
- Cardinal Ivan Dias on Recent Attacks
- Deacons of Bombay Archdiocese
- First Ordinations to the Permanent Diaconate
- Bombay Archdiocese Pastoral Letter 2006
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