By Matters India reporter
Yangon, May 2, 2019: In the aftermath of the horrific Easter Sunday multiple bomb blasts by Islamic terrorists on 3 Churches and 3 luxury hotels in Sri Lanka claiming lives of over 250 people including 50 foreigners and injuring hundreds, the Churches were closed for services.
Lankan Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has now called for Churches to re-open for Sunday services from 5th May 2019.
In the context of retaliation from some Christian groups targeting innocent Muslims the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference president Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar wrote on 3rd May saying, “I condemn unequivocally the horrific unprovoked suicide bomb attacks against unarmed civilians in churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 in Sri Lanka.”
The 71 year old cardinal further condemned the trend of retaliation by some Christian groups saying, “The Church is deeply concerned by reports of revenge and the targeting of Muslim residents, refugees and asylum seekers in Sri Lanka. Many have fled persecution in their own lands, and are now being targeted again. Almost 900 have been reported to have been at risk of reprisal, 150 of these were forced to seek shelter in police stations.”
Myanmar Cardinal further warned both groups that “Terrorism is designed to breed hatred and sow discord, and the enemy of terrorism is love and community, peace and harmony. Is there any difference between us and the terrorists if we target innocent people based on hatred or for being different?”
He further reminded that “Christians and Muslims in Sri Lanka are both minorities and have faced similar discrimination, intolerance and persecution. Turning against each other will only make their plight worse. Solidarity must prevail. The actions of a small group, representing an extreme interpretation of a religion, must not be used to judge the entirety of adherents to that faith.”
The cardinal also called upon religious and community leaders to foster a sense of solidarity and rebuild trust between the communities.
Spelling out detailed number of actions to be taken, the Cardinal called upon “the authorities in Sri Lanka to take action to stop hate speech, and protect the vulnerable.” He further warned, “ignoring this issue will only foster resentment, which is exactly what groups such as ISIS desire.”
The Cardinal concluded his press note with a prayer “to cover the victims and families of victims in prayer, praying for physical and emotional healing and that love may prevail. Let us not give hate a foothold in our lives. Instead, let love for one another reign.”
On behalf of the Federation of Asian Bishops, and the Church in Myanmar, the cardinal assured “to stand in solidarity with all who suffer persecution and hatred, and stand against all forms of intolerance, hatred, discrimination, violence and injustice. And we stand ready to help our brothers and sisters in humanity, of all faiths, in Sri Lanka.”