Pune bishop condemns deadly bomb attack

(February 15, 2010) An Indian Catholic bishop has condemned a deadly terrorist bomb attack in his city of Pune and called on followers of various religions to work together and create a society where all can live in peace, justice, dignity and happiness. Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona made the comment to AsiaNews following Saturday’s attack in Pune. A bomb left in a backpack under a table at the German Bakery, a restaurant popular with tourists killed 9 people, including 2 foreigners, and wounded 60. It was India's first major attack since the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai killed 166 people. “Terrorism attacks and injures people of different religions and cultures,” bishop Dabre said. “For this reason it is even more necessary for all believers in God to unite and work together to ensure a society free from terrorism, where people can live in peace, justice, dignity and happiness". Bishop Dabre also expressed his condolences and prayers to the families of the victims. He noted that the spirit of forgiveness was disappearing, and revenge, retaliation, foolish assertion of rights and demands were imposed stubbornly on others, without any distinction between guilty and innocent. “Terrorism,” he said, “challenge religions and cultures to work together to spread a universal morality in the minds and hearts.” “In particular, religious leaders must convey the importance of morality, justice and peace as a sign of faith in God and true spirituality,” he added.