Delhi archdiocese inaugurates Year of Faith

New Delhi,  October 12, 2012: Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi yesterday launched the Year of Faith, announced by Pope Benedict XVI.
About 150 people took part in the ceremony at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on the same day it was held in Rome.

“This is new evangelization. Renewal of the faith of those who are already believers,” Archbishop Concessao told ucanindia.in.
The archbishop hoisted a flag and lit a lamp to mark the occasion followed by Mass.
He said that the pope announced the yearlong program since Catholic faith has been declining in the West.
“Through this we would be able to rediscover our faith,” he added.
The pope had had announced the Year of Faith from this October through November 2013.
It was done to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of catechism of the Catholic Church.

During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.
“We hope we would be better Christians, more committed and more inclined to share our faith,” the prelate said.

Similar celebrations were held in the Vijaywada diocese in Andhra Pradesh.
Bishop Govindu Joji of the diocese called on the people to proclaim faith in the wake of persecution in several parts of the country.
The diocese plans to conduct several programs to teach people about faith and make maximum use of the holy season.

– ucan