Apex Church body urges voters to boycott ‘communal forces’ TNN #HYDERABAD: The apex body of archbishops, bishops and heads of Catholic and Protestant churches in the state has requested Christians not to vote for communal forces this general election. In a first-ever such pastoral letter signed by Bishop G Dyvasirvadam, moderator of Church of South India (CSI), the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC) asked Christians to elect leaders who are close to people and their needs, and only vote for those who uphold secular character and promote communal harmony. The rare pastoral letter, also signed by the Archbishop of Hyderabad Thumma Bala, has been sent to hundreds of member churches across the state, and will be read out on any Sunday, before the assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Christian religious leaders say its common practice to ask Churches to pray for political leaders, but exhorting voters who to vote for or not, is never the laid-down norm. Defending issuing the potentially explosive letter, which could have far-reaching ramification across South India, Bishop Dyvasirvadam said it was the need of the hour to prevent communal forces from harming Christian minorities. We are worried about the communal carnage that happened in Kandhamal, Orrisa and what is happening now. There could be a repeat in the state, if the voters do not take an anti-communal stand. We need a strong government to protect us, Dyvasirvadam told TOI.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 05:40:09 +0000
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