By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, June 22, 2023: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has directed its faithful to observe July 2 as day of prayer for the suffering people of the violence-hit Manipur in the Northeast.
A June 22 message from conference president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur urges all archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, catechists and laity expressed extreme sadness at the current situation in Manipur where ethnic violence started on May 3.
The archbishop regrets that unprecedented violence and instability have held sway over the region all these days.
The CBCI president quoted the archbishop of Imphal to say violence and arson continue unabated, “notably in the outlying areas of the region’s valley.”
In the violence, houses and villages have been torched, valuables stolen and plundered, places of worship desecrated and set on fire, the message says. The violence claimed the lives of almost 100 people.
“More than 50,000 people have been displaced, rendered homeless and are suffering in various relief camps and private residences. Many people have left the city. Lots of people have fled Imphal and the state for safer localities,” it adds.
The bishops’ conference set June 25 to announce in all parishes and Church institutions to observe the following Sunday to pray for Manipur.
“This initiative could perhaps be followed all over the country, with our parishes, institutions and religious communities observing this day meaningfully,” the message says and provides some suggestions to make the day significant.
They include adding special intentions for peace and harmony to the Prayers of the Faithful, and organize an hour of Adoration in all parishes, as far as possible, to intercede for the people of Manipur.
The conference also wants its people to organize candlelight processions or peace rallies in solidarity with the Manipur people. Such programs would help deepen people’s awareness about the Manipur situation, the message says.
Another suggestion to join like-minded people and organizations that “share our vision of peace so that our common efforts for building an environment of harmony and understanding can have a greater impact.”
The archbishop wants Catholics in India to encourage associations, movements and NGOs to convey their serious concern to the officials of the federal government, “particularly about the alarming disregard in that region for the principles enshrined in the Constitution.”
He wants all Church educational institutions to organize the recitation of a Pledge for Peace, as part of the community’s efforts to promote peace in the country.
Archbishop Thazhath Catholics to “generously accommodate” people coming from Manipur and provide education and hostel facilities for migrant students.
He also said Caritas India, the social service arm of the Church, has responded to the Manipur crises soon after the conflict began,.
As on June 20, the agency has reached out to more than 14,000 displaced people living in various relief camps in Manipur and the adjoining states of Mizoram and Assam.
Caritas India has come up with long-term plans for Manipur such as rehabilitation of the victims of violence and promotion of inter-community peace, harmony, and confidence building, the CBCI president said.
CBCI’s approach to observe July 2 as day of prayer for Manipur is absolute Tokenism. Why is the CBCI not sending a delegate of its bishops to Manipur? Pope Francis said the Church is a battlefield. CBCI wants to shy away from this reality.