Assam Christian Forum supports Gujarat Archbishop Macwan

NewsBharati    05-Dec-2017
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Guwahati, Dec 5: The Assam Christian Forum (ACF) has come out openly in support of the Archbishop of Gandhinagar Archdiocese Thomas Macwan and appealed to all the people to pray for the defeat of “nationalist forces” in Gujarat elections.

Archbishop Macwan had been caught in a controversy by issuing a letter appealing to “save our country from the nationalist forces” and to elect humane leaders committed to follow the Indian constitution. His letter came against the background of Gujarat Assembly elections and therefore, attracted attention of the political parties and authorities nationwide.  

There had been voices of protests against this appeal of the Archbishop. The Legal Rights Observatory, an NGO had shot a notice to the Holy Father for his ‘Unholy act’ and the Election Commission too had taken the cognizance of his letter and issued notice to Archbishop Macwan.

However, the Assam Christian Forum, having their office at EFI Crest Centre, K B Road, Paltan Bazar, Guwahati, had in their meeting on November 28, 2017 discussed the ‘Pastoral Letter’ of Archbishop Thomas Macwan and expressed their solidarity with him.


 

The release of ACF posted on the website of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) with its headquarters in Nagpur, said, “The ACF felt that the criticism by certain quarters was hysteric, hyperbolie and uncalled for, while the Archbishop's letter was only exalting the faithful to pray to save our country from nationalist forces" read (pseudo nationalist forces) and for the victory of humane leaders "faithful to the Indian Constitution".

It is worth mentioning that while Archbishop Macwan in his ‘Pastoral Letter’ and later in an interview to a television news channel had not explained what he meant by ‘nationalist forces’, the ACF had volunteered to clarify this on his behalf branding them as ‘pseudo nationalist forces’.

Archbishop Macwan, when proded by the journalist of a television news channel to explain what he meant by 'nationalist forces, said he meant them to be 'narrow minded people'. He did not use the word 'pseudo nationalist forces'. 

The ACF assured their ‘unrelenting prayers and support’ to Archbishop Thomas Macwan and appealed to all not to “fall prey to divisive forces and continue their prayers for their motherland and its prosperity”.

The press release was issued under signatures of ACF Chairman Solomon Rongpi and Secretary A K Goldsmith on November 30, 2017.

Gujarat Archbishop Thomas Macwan Assam Christian Forum Gujarat Elections LRO Election Commission