Indian bishops condemn Mumbai terror attacks

(November 28, 2008) The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) the apex body of the Catholic Church in India has condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Speaking on behalf of the Indian bishops, CBCI Secretary General, Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes of Gandhinagar expressed his deep sympathy and serious concern over this tragedy. Describing the attacks as “one of the most barbaric acts” he said it must be condemned in the strongest possible words by one and all. “Terrorism is evil, and all those involved in any terrorist activities are people working against the very foundation of human life which is sacred in the eyes of God,” he said. India’s bishops have appealed to the people of Mumbai to maintain peace and harmony at this hour of pain and grief. They have also urged the Government to take strong and effective steps to check the menace of terrorism in India. The Bishops affirmed that violence is in no way an acceptable means to achieve an end, however noble and desirable it might be. “We need to adopt peaceful means to sort out issues, and that alone can lead us to a more civilized manner of living our life in society,” the Indian bishops’ body said. While praying for the dead and wishing speedy recovery to the injured they urged that hostages be freed soon.