wfn.org | Christians in India to pray for Peace on March 14 2002

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Title : Christians in India to pray for Peace on March 14 2002

New Delhi 13 March, 2002
The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), concerned about the
build up at Ayodhya asks all people of good will and especially
Christians to observe 14 March, Thursday as a Day of Prayer.

Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios of Thiruvanthapuram, the newly elected
President of the CBCI has appealed to all peace loving people in the
country and particularly Christians to observe 14 March as a Prayer Day.
The CBCI is prepared to cooperate with all the peace loving people in
order to settle the confused and gravely tense situation in accordance
with the secular tradition of our nation, added the CBCI President.

Last week, more than 150 Catholic Bishops, including Cardinals and
Archbishops had observed a day of prayer and fasting for peace during
their biennial General Body Meeting at Jalandhar.

The CBCI had also expressed its serious concern about the build up at
Ayodhya in two separate letters to the Prime Minister and the Home
Minister two days before the tragic incident at Godhra. The letter dated
25 February 2002 had said, In the pluralistic ethos of Sarvdharam
Sambhav of this great nation it is extremely important that anything
that heightens communal tension and poses a threat of violence should
be contained

The letter from the CBCI concluded, While, as always, we promise to
pray for you and your Government and for peace in this country, we
appeal to you to use all the powers conferred on you by the Constitution
to neutralize a situation detrimental for the internal peace of the
country.

Issued by
Rev. Dr. Dominic Emmanuel svd
Spokesman + Public Affairs
Catholic Bishops Conference of India