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Tight security for Pope's visit: Archbishop

Fool-proof security arrangements are being made for Pope John Paul-II in view of the opposition voiced by some organisations to his November 5 to 8 visit to India, Archbishop Alan de Lastic said in New Delhi today.

Stating that the government had assured the Catholic church that all efforts would be made to ensure a peaceful and successful visit by the Pope, de Lastic said: ''Compliments must be paid to the Ministry of External Affairs for going to considerable expense and trouble to make the visit the best in Asia.''

Regarding the threats of anti-Pope protests by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the archbishop said while a few fanatical groups had opposed the visit, a large number of organisations and individuals had given an overwhelmingly positive response.

The archbishop said he had voiced his concern to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani and BJP president Kushabhau Thakre. ''The government has stated that it will do its best. Tight security arrangements are being put in place and all venues to be visited by the Pope, including churches, are being treated as sterilised zones by the security forces,'' he added.

''We appeal to all people to respect the time-honoured Indian tradition of hospitality. If there is some difference of opinion, a dialogue can be initiated. But, a dignitary on a state visit should not be troubled,'' he added.

In reply to a question, the archbishop said there was no move to either cancel or postpone the visit. He also said that there was no connection between the Pope's visit and the recent attacks on the Christian community.

Asked about the allegations of forced conversions made against the Church, the archbishop said that conversions were a matter personal choice. As for charges of ''inducements'' for conversion, he said these allegations should be examined.

A delegation of the National Minorities Commission, which visited Gujarat recently, did not find any cases of forced conversions. Even the Wadhwa Commission report did not find any link between the work being done by missionary Graham Staines among leprosy patients and conversions in the area, he added.

The Pope during his visit will meet President K R Narayanan, Vice-President Krishan Kant and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He will also pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.

The Pope will address Catholic religious leaders at a special assembly in the Sacred Heart Cathedral and preside over a mass at Nehru Stadium. He will also take part in a meeting of religious leaders of all faiths at Vigyan Bhawan.

While requests had come in from other Indian cities also for the Pope's visit, he would remain only in Delhi, the archbishop said.

UNI

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Walkout in RS over anti-Pope propaganda

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