Papal envoy exhorts religious to bear witness to Christ

A special envoy of the Pope to India has exhorted Christians to seize the opportunities presented by today's world to bear witness to Christ and spread the message of God's saving love.

Speaking at a function attended by over 350 women and men religious in Delhi, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor said the church has a special responsibility to face the world together and bear witness to Christ.

The 78-year-old cardinal is in India to participate in the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's first visit to India.

Recalling Pope John Paul II's first pastoral visit to India and his address to the religious of the country, Cardinal O'Connor said consecrated life is a special gift of God to the world and to the church.

He recalled John Paul II's love for India, and described him as a pilgrim who went everywhere. Quoting Pope Benedict XVI he said, "if the consecrated life did not exist, how much poorer the world would have been."

Serving as Pope Benedict XVI's official representative, Cardinal O'Connor will journey to many of the areas visited by Pope John Paul II, including Calcutta, where he will pray with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has launched a 10-day program to commemorate Pope John Paul II's visit to India.