India’s Catholic Church appeals for peace in Middle East

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has appealed for peace in the Middle East expressing its deep concern over the on-going violence and bloodshed in the Gaza strip causing untold miseries to thousands of innocent people.  The CBCI Standing Committee of the apex body of India’s Catholic Church that gathered at St. John’s Medical College Bangalore, 6-8 August, issued a press release earnestly appealing to the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to heed to global efforts to end the continuing conflict and establish lasting peace in the Holy Land, for which Pope Francis and other world leaders have taken several initiatives, including the prayer meet, held in the Vatican, in which both the Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers prayed together for peace. 

The Bishops’ Committee also expressed its anguish over the escalation of violence in Iraq, showing signs of genocide. The Indian bishops noted it is a matter of great concern that thousands of people belonging to religious minorities, including Christians and Yezidis are subjected to persecution, torture, exile and even to the most dastardly acts of burying women and children alive in mass graves. While expressing solidarity with those who are suffering, especially those persecuted on account of their faith, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India exhorted all people of goodwill to pray unceasingly for peace in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Addressing the Indian situation, the Indian bishops reiterated the support of the Catholic Church to the democratically elected NDA Government and extended their greetings to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji, to support his efforts to lead the nation to new heights of peace and prosperity for all. However, concern was expressed over certain sporadic events of violence against Christians in certain parts of India. The Bishops’ Committee took strong exception to an unprecedented move in Chhattisgarh where 50 villages passed a resolution in Gram Sabha, denying entry to Christian Priests in the villages, a move fortunately foiled by the timely intervention of the District Administration. The Catholic Bishops’ Committee urged the Central Government and the State Governments to keep constant vigil over such sinister moves designed to weaken the very character and nature of the nation’s secular and democratic Constitution.

The Bishops’ Committee also expressed deep concern and anxiety over certain statements made by responsible and highly placed persons  in the Judiciary favouring particular  religion and its sacred books to be included in the school curriculum. The Bishops’ Committee expressed apprehension over certain moves on the part of the Government and  the Judiciary to bring about the uniform civil code and to legalize euthanasia. It said, such moves, without taking into account the views and concerns of all will eventually weaken the unity of the nation and lead to the erosion of moral values cherished by the Indian society.

The Standing Committee of the CBCI finally exhorted the Catholics and people of goodwill all over the world not to lose hope in the midst of the tragic situation in the Middle East and elsewhere, and the distressing developments in certain parts of India.  Stressing that peace is primarily a gift of God and a treasure to be constantly striven for, the Indian bishops exhorted all the people to pray unceasingly for the gift of Peace in the troubled parts of the world.  “As we celebrate India’s 67th Independence Day, let us all resolve to work steadfastly for the growth and development of all our people, ensuring justice, peace and equality in our dear Motherland, India,” the CBCI Standing Committee wrote.