wfn.org | Catholic Bishops of India caution government on war

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

New Delhi, 30 December 2001

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has urged the
government to consider all other options such as dialogue on various
levels to engage with the neighbouring country before taking the last
step of going on war.

Archbishop Oswald Gracias, the Secretary General of the CBCI, expressing
his concern over the military build-up on the borders said, "We
appreciate the government's move so far of taking serious diplomatic
steps against Pakistan to make it see that the 13 December attack on
Parliament is seen by all Indians as a matter of grave alarm. We urge
the government to continue its diplomatic efforts and exhaust all other
possibilities of dialogue at all levels before considering the option of
waging an offensive war".

"War is in nobody's interest and there are no victors but only losers in
a war. It is humanity that loses out and it is the poorest of the poor
who get the brunt of it. Only love and forgiveness can overcome hatred.
Violence breeds more violence", said Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao of
Delhi and the first vice-president of the CBCI who had made a similar
appeal on Christmas Day with the leaders of various religions in Delhi
during a prayer meeting for peace.

The CBCI is fully with the government in its resolve to counter
terrorism but at the same time it has expressed its serious concern of
the fallout of a war. The Church leaders also assured the government
that while they had made special prayers for peace during the Christmas
Church services, they would continue to pray for lasting peace in the
subcontinent.

Issued by Dominic Emmanuel svd
Spokesman - CBCI
Dominic Emmanuel <dominic1@vsnl.com>