Hyderabad archbishop calls families to join national registration drive

HYDERABAD, Telangana  (Indian Catholic News) — Hyderabad archbishop Cardinal Anthony Poola has urged Catholic families to take the Indian government’s SIR registration process seriously, saying participation is both a civic responsibility and an expression of Christian witness.

In a pastoral letter dated June 17, the archbishop called on priests, religious and lay faithful across the Archdiocese of Hyderabad to ensure that eligible family members are properly registered under the SIR (Systematic Inclusion/Registration/Identification of Residents) process.

The SIR is a nationwide effort that seeks to give every resident a recognized identity—by collecting and verifying their personal and biometric details—so that no one is left out of voter lists or denied access to essential public services.

Describing the initiative as “an important exercise that directly impacts the rights, welfare, and future of every citizen,” Cardinal Poola said Catholics have a duty to understand its significance and participate in it conscientiously.

“The SIR process is meant to ensure that every eligible person is properly identified and included in official records,” Cardinal Poola wrote. He said inclusion helps safeguard access to civic rights, welfare benefits, public services and legal recognition.

Cardinal Poola warned that “Non-inclusion, whether due to ignorance, negligence, or fear, can lead to serious difficulties in the future,” particularly for vulnerable groups including the poor, elderly, migrants and others living on the margins of society.

Faith and civic responsibility

Framing the issue in religious as well as civic terms, the archbishop said Catholics should view participation in the process as part of their commitment to justice and inclusion.

“The Holy Scriptures remind us that faith must be lived out in concrete actions,” Cardinal Poola wrote. “Being attentive to matters that ensure justice, dignity, and inclusion is part of our Christian witness.”

Cardinal Poola therefore urged “all Catholic families, youth, and elders to take the SIR process seriously and to ensure that their names and the names of eligible family members are properly registered.”

Parishes asked to assist vulnerable people

Cardinal Poola also directed parish priests, religious communities and parish councils to help raise awareness and assist those who may face challenges completing the process.

He specifically highlighted senior citizens, persons with disabilities and people lacking adequate documentation as groups that may need additional support.

Cardinal Poola asked parishes and institutions to appoint “two or three personnel” to coordinate assistance and communicate with archdiocesan authorities before June 25.

He stressed that participation should not be viewed merely as a bureaucratic requirement.

“Let us remember that participation in such civic processes is not merely a legal formality, but an act of responsibility towards our own future and the common good of society,” Cardinal Poola wrote.

By participating, he added, citizens contribute to “building a just and inclusive nation, in harmony with the values of the Gospel.”

Cardinal Poola concluded by praying that God would guide the faithful “to act wisely, responsibly, and in solidarity with one another.”

Read the full letter.