Pope Francis is close to India and its people, he said in a message send today to His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, regarding the Covid-19 health emergency in the country.
“My thoughts go above all to the sick and their families, to those who care for them and in particular to those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones,” the Holy Father said. “I think too of the many doctors, nurses, hospital workers, ambulance drivers, and those working tirelessly to respond to the immediate needs of their brothers and sisters. With deep appreciation, I invoke upon all of them God’s gifts of perseverance, strength, and peace.”
On Thursday, the number of new infections crossed the 400,000 mark for the second time since the devastating surge began last month, reported Vatican News. The 412,262 new cases pushed India’s official tally to more than 21 million. The Health Ministry also reported 3,980 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 230,168. However, experts say the scale of the disaster is much higher as official government reports are undercounted.
“The current rapid surge of COVID-19 cases has put immense pressure on the health systems, already overburdened since the start of the pandemic,” said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization in India. He also noted the critical need to address fear among communities which may cause hoarding of medical supplies and a rush to hospitals; during this surge of cases, it is important to optimize available resources such as ICU beds through triaging patients.
“Irrespective of the numbers that we see today or the virus variants that may be circulating during the ongoing surge, our key public health measures – test, trace, isolate and treat – along with physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and masks continue to be our tried and tested measures to curtail COVID-19 transmission.” Dr. Poomam Khetrapal Singh said, concluding with “Together we must do all we can to halt the current COVID-19 surge”.
A group of young Catholic volunteers, nuns, and priests in the Archdiocese of Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka, in southern India, has begun to assist patients affected by Covid-19 while India is in full swing of the second wave of infections that has brought the country to its knees, reported Fides News Agency.
“The initiative, undertaken in the Archdiocese of Bangalore, is launched in collaboration with the Camillian fathers”, explained Fr. Anil D’Sa, secretary of the Commission for Youth of the Archdiocese, explaining the motto that inspires the initiative: “Do to others what you want to be done to you”.
“The assistance program started thanks to the idea of the group “‘ova Chethan’ (Youth Consciousness) and other young Catholic volunteers and religious nuns”, explained Fr. D’Sa, Salesian priest. “Young people have seen with pain that the whole country is in serious danger and distress as hospitals in India are facing a shortage of oxygen supplies, medicines, and beds, as the number of cases of coronavirus in the country reached 20 million on May 3.”
Message of the Holy Father
To Cardinal Oswald Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
At this time when so many in India are suffering as a result of the present health emergency, I am writing to convey my heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness to all the Indian people, together with the assurance of my prayers that God will grant healing and consolation to everyone affected by this grave pandemic.
My thoughts go above all to the sick and their families, to those who care for them and in particular to those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. I think too of the many doctors, nurses, hospital workers, ambulance drivers, and those working tirelessly to respond to the immediate needs of their brothers and sisters. With deep appreciation, I invoke upon all of them God’s gifts of perseverance, strength, and peace.
In a particular way, I am united to the Catholic community in your country, with gratitude for its works of charity and fraternal solidarity carried out in the service of all; I think especially of the generosity shown by so many committed young people. I join you in commending to the Lord’s infinite mercy the faithful who have lost their lives, not least the great numbers of priests and men and women religious. In these days of immense grief, may we all be consoled in the hope born of Easter and our unshakeable faith in Christ’s promise of resurrection and new life. To all, I send my blessing.
Rome, from Saint John Lateran, 6 May 2021
FRANCISCUS
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
