New Delhi, 09 July 2013: "The Asian Bishops strongly condemn the violence against
Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya. They also condemn the mentality of division, discrimination
and communalism that breeds violence. They demand a serious commitment with regards
to inter-religious harmony and justice, especially towards the poor and towards minorities",
said Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, Executive Secretary of the Office for Human Development
in the "Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences" to Fides News Agency, expressing
the position of the Federation on the assassination attempt on Sunday morning, July
7, hit the sacred complex of "Bodh Gaya" in the Indian state of Bihar. This is the
most important Buddhist shrine in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According
to preliminary investigations on the attack, the violence seems to be of Islamic matrix,
which could be connected to the violence that Muslims are suffering in Myanmar by
Buddhist extremists.
Fr. Sagayam, who is also director of "Udhayam," a Center
for Peace started by the Capuchin friars in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, reiterated
the importance of working at a local level: "Every bishop in his diocese is called
to work for peace, reconciliation, harmony and social justice. It is important that
this work is carried out in different areas, in different dioceses, in many Asian
nations. Asia is a continent that needs peace as a prerequisite for authentic human
development, respectful of the dignity of every person", he added. Source: Fides
Meanwhile, Archbishop
William D’Souza of Patna has condemned the serial bomb blasts that rocked the holiest
Buddhist shrine in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, where Buddha attained enlightenment.
The
series of bomb blasts in the vicinity of Buddhist temple in Gaya, the abode of peace,
have completely shocked us and we are deeply pained,” the prelate said.
He
said that the blasts seems to be a well-planned effort to disturb the communal peace
in the state by some misguided and anti-social elements.
He appealed to the
union and state governments to urgently intervene and restore justice, peace and harmony
in the area. Source: UCAN