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Satnam Sandhu becomes first Indian Sikh MP to witness ordination ceremony for Indian Catholic priest George Jacob Koovakad's elevation as Cardinal by Pope Francis

Archbishops of Vatican City thanks PM Modi for sending official delegaton to witness George Jacob Koovakad's cardinal ordination ceremony

Babushahi Bureau

Vatican City, December 9, 2024: Archbishops of Vatican City have thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending India's Multi-Faith delegation to witness the grand ordination ceremony held in the Vatican City for the elevation of Indian priest George Jacob Koovakad as a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis.

A Sikh member of the Indian delegation, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and convenor of the Indian Minorities Federation, Satnam Singh Sandhu, became the first Sikh MP to witness the ordination ceremony at Vatican City where Pope Francis created 21 new Cardinals, including Archbishop Koovakad, from 16 countries at St. Peter's Basilica.

The Indian delegation which included George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member Parliament, Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Kodikkunnil Suresh, Anil Antony, Anoop Antony and Tom Vadakkan met Pope Francis after the ordination ceremony.Pope Francis expressed his happiness over Indian delegation’s presence in the ordination ceremony. 

The delegation extended Pope Francis an invitation to visit India soon in order to give further motivation for peace and progress under PM Modi’s leadership. They conveyed the message of the country's unity, brotherhood and oneness under PM Modi's leadership. The delegation also conveyed PM Modi's message of love, affection and brotherhood to Christian community at Vatican City. 

The delegation met Father Koovakad, who belongs to the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, after the ordination ceremony to his elevation as Cardinal and congratulated him for becoming the first person from India to be directly chosen for the prestigious position of Cardinal without first becoming a Bishop. 

Conveying the country's best wishes to him for becoming the sixth Cardinal from India, the delegation said Father Koovakad’s elevation is a significant achievement and a big boost to Indian representation in the Catholic Church’s hierarchy. 

Celebrating George Jacob Koovakad's appointment as cardinal, Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending the Multi-Faith delegation to Vatican City for attending the ordination ceremony.

"It's matter of great joy for all of us specially Indians that our illustrious son George Jacob Koovakad has become a Cardinal at Vatican City. We are happy and thankful to government of India. And I personally thank the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi for sending an official delegation of the government of India to participate in this function. This is a great occasion for all of us to celebrate the unity and secular nature of our country," he said. Another Archbishop said, "I thank our Prime Minister for sending this delegation from India and we wish you all the best,".

Expressing happiness over elevation of Indian priest George Jacob Koovakad as a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Rajya Sabha MP Sandhu said it's an extraordinary and historic moment for India as a distinguished member of the Indian Christian community from Changanassery in Kerala has become a Cardinal in the Vatican.

"As a member of Sikh community, I am honoured be part of India’s Multi-Faith delegation at Vatican City and thank PM Modi for giving me this privilege to witness this special ceremony in Vatican City for elevation of where Archbishop George Koovakad was created as a Cardinal," he said.

Sandhu said it's a matter of great joy and pride for India as well as the country’s Christian community that his Eminence George Jacob Koovakad has been created a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

Hailing decision of the Union government under PM Modi’s leadership to send a Multi-Faith delegation to Vatican City for this historic event, the Rajya Sabha MP said, “PM Modi has followed Christian teachings to give love and respect to people of all communities and maintained peace and harmony in the country. This is for the first time that the Union government sent a Multi-Faith delegation to witness this ceremony at Vatican City which is a proud moment for the entire nation. It’s a great gesture which indicates India's unity in diversity and community harmony under the leadership of PM Modi. It shows PM Modi's respect and support for the minority communities in India. Our delegation represented the people of India at the Vatican City. The Indian delegation reflected the unity and inclusiveness of the Indian people, as it represented all Indians, irrespective of religion, " the Rajya Sabha MP said.

"PM Modi is the icon of our constitutional commitment to secularism and has nurtured an atmosphere for peaceful co-existence for all communities to live in communal harmony and country is united like never before. PM Modi has made India a safe haven for minorities. During the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the past ten years, all communities have developed equally and inclusively as a result of which India has also given a message of universal brotherhood and communal harmony to the world," he added.

The Rajya Sabha MP Sandhu said PM Modi is the only Prime Minister of India to meet Pope Francis twice in last 10 years and has given equal respect to all religious faiths and cultures for promoting inter-religious co-operation and harmony in the country.