As Telangana State decided to celebrate a week to mark formation of new state, the Andhra Pradesh Bishops’ Council (APBC) assured the support of the Catholic Church and Christian Community for just, inclusive, equitable and sustainable development of both new states. — Editor
Bishops’ Council extents support for development of new States
The Andhra Pradesh Bishops’ Council (APBC), which is an apex body of the Catholic Church in both the States of Telangana and Seemandhra being launched on June 02, 2014, assured the support of the Catholic Church and Christian Community for just, inclusive, equitable and sustainable development of the new States. It promised to continue to pray for God’s blessing for Telugu people of both States to realize a “Bangaru Telangana” and “Swarna Andhra Pradesh” with prosperity, peace and harmony.
With a view to extent their support and assure their prayerful blessing for the new states of Telangana and successor state of Andhra Pradesh, the APBC delegation consisting of Bishops and Priests met the would be Chief Ministers of both the States. Through a similar Memorandum submitted by APBC, both the would be Chief Ministers were reminded that the Church, though a minority, contributes over 25% of charitable services to the society in the fields of education, health care and social welfare, particularly to the poorer and weaker sections. To better these services, both the Chief Minister-elects were requested by APBC to take action on the urgent issues of the Church-run Educational Institutions and the concerns of the Christian Minority Community.
On May 21, 2014, the APBC delegation paid a visit to Sri K. Chandrasekhar Rao, President of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) at his residence in Hyderabad, and congratulated him on being chosen as the first Chief Minister – Elect of the new State of Telangana. The delegation was led by Bishop Poola Anthony of Kurnool, Secretary of APBC, and consisted of Bishop G. Joji of Nalgonda, Bishop Udumala Bala of Warangal, Fr Anthoniraj Thumma, Deputy Secretary of APBC, and other Fathers and Sisters. Since the delegation’s appointment with Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, President of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Chief Minister – Elect of residuary Andhra Pradesh, was cancelled for the day and as the Bishops had to get back, the next day Fr Anthoniraj Thumma, Deputy Secretary of APBC, and other Fathers greeted him on behalf of APBC at TDP party office, Hyderabad.
Press Release issued by:
Rev. Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, Deputy Secretary/Spokesperson/PRO of APBC
