Bellary: Nativity of Blessed Virgin; Uphold Dignity of All Women - Bishop
Daijiworld Media Network - Bellary
Bellary, Sep 11: “Women are created with equal dignity and respect as men; they need to be treated with equal dignity and honour at all places, by one and all”, said Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza.
He was presiding over concelebrated Holy Eucharist on the occasion of the feast of Nativity of BVM at the popular Marian Shrine – Bellary Arogya Mathe Shrine on Wednesday September 8.
The Catholic Church in India celebrated the Day of the Girl Child on the birthday of Mary, Mother of Jesus. The CBCI Gender Policy which was published last year expressed special concern for the girl child and has recommended strategies to protect and nurture her. The most alarming crisis in India is the number of missing women in the country. The millions of females missing were either never born or died of chronic malnutrition or due to lack of medical attention.
Bishop D’Souza urged to emulate the example of Mother Mary who was “filled with grace” and treated with utmost respect by the Angel of God. She was elevated to be the Mother of the Saviour and raised to the highest dignity.
“However, today there exist a great multitude of weak and defenseless human beings, unborn children especially girls, whose basic human right to life is being denied”, Bishop lamented.
“Life comes from God; it is a precious gift. Human is an imprint of God and part of God’s breath of life. The life of a human person is the greatest human good that all must protect. Man is called to the fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God”, he observed.
Commemorating the Birth of Mother Mary, whose birth announced the salvation for the entire humanity by Jesus Christ, the Church in India celebrates September 8 as the Girl Child Day. He urged people to bring about a change in the mindset of people towards the girl child and to stop the discrimination and violence against the female child.
Properly respected women can be powerful agents of change both at home, in the society and the church”, added Bishop D’Souza. Thousands of people attended the open air celebration which was followed by a fellowship meal for all.