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Reception for Archbishop

A Correspondent

NEDUMBASSERY: Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, Holy See's secretary for Relations with States, was accorded a warm reception at Cochin International Airport here on Saturday morning.

He is here to lead the Episcopal ordination of Monsignor Francis Assisi Chullikkat who was recently appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq and Jordan.

It will be a great event and he (Francis Assisi Chullikkat) will make a great nuncio, the Archbishop said regarding the ordination, which will be held on Sunday.

Talking to presspersons, he said that India is a religiously tolerant state and its Constitution ensures the right to religious freedom. Though there are some problems in some parts of the country it could be resolved through dialogue.

Regarding the controversy surrounding the Pope's recent statement on religious freedom in India, he said it was grossly misinterpreted. According to him, the Holy Father's statement was against the anti-conversion Bills, which were aimed at preventing religious freedom, passed by some States.

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