India, Nov. 2 -- Dear Bishops, Priests, Religious, Pastors and Lay Faithful,

I write these lines as a priest in my eighties, spending my retirement years in Delhi, but continuing to carry in my heart the concerns of the Church and the future of our beloved India. Though advancing age may limit my active participation in public life, it cannot silence the conscience of a priest when the values of the Gospel and the well-being of our nation are at stake.

I am deeply concerned about the situation in our country and, equally, about the response-or the apparent lack of response-of our Christian communities. I write not to promote any political party or ideology, but out of love for the Church, concern for our fellow citizens and a sense of ...