By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Feb 28, 2022: Three major Church associations in India on February 28 called for an unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
“Moved by the pain and suffering of the people of Ukraine caused by war, we join world leaders and the leadership of our respective global and regional communions in calling for an unconditional ceasefire,” says a joint appeal from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), National Council of Churches of India (NCCI) and Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI).
CBCI is the national body of Catholic bishops belonging to Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches. NCCI is the association of Protestant and Orthodox Churches in the country and their organizations and institutions and EFI is the national body of evangelical Churches, para-Church organizations and thousands of individuals.
The appeal is signed by CBCI secretary general Archbishop Felix Machado, NCCI general secretary Reverend Asir Ebenezer and EFI general secretary Reverend Vijayesh Lal.
“We uphold the citizens and inhabitants of Ukraine especially elderly, sick, people with disability, women and children who are the most often among the greatest targets of violence and war. We believe that we have a responsibility to pray for the transformation of leaders who take up arms in anger or revenge. May God’s protection and providence be upon Ukraine and Russia by which the entire region shall experience peace forever,” the appeal says.
The Indian Church leader recalls Pope Francis’ words in responding to the present situation in Ukraine: “My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine.”
World Council of Churches appealed to the churches around the world to “…pray for a change of hearts and minds, for de-escalation, and for dialogue instead of threats.”
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) called for an immediate end to the attacks on Ukraine and requested the churches to pray for restoration of peace.
“Hearkening to this clarion call we, CBCI, NCCI and EFI, the ecumenical fellowships in India together in solidarity with all people of goodwill are encouraged to observe Wednesday, the 2nd March 2022 as a day of prayer and fasting (in many traditions it is Ash Wednesday).”
The appeal also provides intercessory prayers to pray weekly during the Lent.
“The God revealed to us in Scripture is a God who has suffered at the hands of an empire, and so let us together pray for the accompaniment and intervention of God within our situations. We make this Lent even more special by keeping this intention in mind for peace and harmony in the world, in Ukraine and in our own nation,” the Indian Church leaders say.
It seems Our Govt. had a cost -benefit assessment and chose the present behaviour on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. It is felt that in spite of that India should have let it known loudly that unilateral use of military force in violation of the sovereignity is utterly wrong and should be stopped and dialogue should be resorted to and justice be done
A united appeal like this is welcome. I signed an online appeal by the Secretary General of the UN. There were millions of signatories from across the world.