Inter-Religious Peace Rally held to Pray for Peace with Pope Francis in Miao Diocese

The Miao diocese in Arunachal Pradesh organized an inter-religious peace rally in Neotan village, in response to Pope Francis' call to pray for peace on September 20.  

Of late, the world has witnessed  an unprecedented violence and mindless killings by religious fundamentalists, said Father Felix Anthony inaugurating the candle-lit peace rally in Neotan village, in which around three hundred people participated. The world is in need of peace now more than ever. We see pain and blood shed all around in the name of religion, he added.

The Head Monk at Buddhist Monastery in Miao, Venerable Narinda Bhikkhu Mahathero, attending the event highlighted the need of peace in the world at the moment. “Amidst growing religious intolerance in India and all around, this inter-religious peace rally is a great step to promote mutual respect and peace among the people of all faiths”, said the Monk.

Mr. Thiksal Morang, former Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) Changlang District, representing the Tangsa Baptist Church Association in Arunachal Pradesh, invited all to be messengers of peace. “A peaceful society is a responsibility of all. All of us must strive to establish a harmonious society”, said the former DDSE.

 “Our peace initiative does not end with this rally. It only begins now. We should work to promote peace in our society,  in our own little way,  to make the world a peaceful place to live in”, said Fr. Felix at the conclusion of the rally.

During prayer  the people also remembered and prayed for the Army Jawans who lost their lives this week,  in the terrorist attack at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir.

The world is wounded  and needs healing.  Peace is the balm that the world needs, Mrs. Dangnai Mossang, a local public leader from Miao, said while closing the peace rally.

Responding to the Pope’s invitation Bishop George Pallipparambil, the Bishop of Miao in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh had called on all Parishes, schools and institutions in the Diocese to observe this day of prayer with inter-religious meetings, peace rally and special prayer for peace.

The theme of the 3 day international meeting this year was ‘Thirst for Peace, Religions and Cultures in Dialogue’.  Pope Francis was present for the closing of the interreligious World Day of Prayer for Peace and conveyed his message and prayed for peace with the leaders of other religions.

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the First World Day of Prayer for Peace that St. John Paul II convened back in 1986.  It was a historic event which saw world leaders of different religions come together for the very first time to pray for peace.