New Delhi, Oct. 7 : The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has strongly objected to the use of religious symbols including posters of The Passion of Christ during the campaigning for the Maharashtra Assembly elections and said it was against the very ethos of Christianity.

''We are dismayed at the fact that a certain party is using the poster of The Passion of Christ for campaigning in the coming assembly elections in
Maharashtra. We totally disapprove of such an act and ask the concerned people to stop forthwith the use of pictures of Christ and other religious symbols in
advertisements and posters relating to elections,'' the CBCI representing 16 million strong Indian Catholics said in a statement here on Wednesday.

It said the use of posters of The Passion of Christ for political purpose was a total disrespect to the feelings of Christian community in the country and it
should be taken off immediately.

The principles of democracy demand that religious sentiments of each individual was respected while campaigning in elections, it said and appealed to all the political parties to keep religion out of politics.

As the assembly polls draw closer, it seems that politicians may be willing to stoop to any extend to get votes.



Peter Beita
Ecumenical Press