CBCI condemns killing of innocent civilians in the Kashmir Valley

(May3, 2006) The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India – CBCI, and the entire Catholic community in the country is deeply affected by the brutal and inhuman killings of innocent helpless villagers in a well planned operation by armed militants in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Catholic Bishops condemned the killings and shared the grief of the sorrowing families. CBCI Secretary General Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes said even as the entire country is looking on in hope to the peace process that has been initiated in Kashmir, a handful of extremists have sought the path of terror to divide the communities even further. The proactive steps taken by the Government towards establishing a lasting peace in Kashmir must be pursued at a steady pace and an atmosphere conducive to peace established. He said the CBCI is also saddened at the violence in Vadodara, and the most recent outbreak of riots there, is a setback to the healing process that had begun in Gujarat. It is unfortunate that the razing to the ground of a holy shrine, symbol of peace and harmony, should also bring crumbling down the fragile edifice of trust and harmony that was surfacing in this communally-sensitive state. Only patient efforts and actions of tolerance and respect can build goodwill and harmony among peoples of all communities, he added.
The CBCI appealed to all groups, communities and religious leaders, to promote reconciliation and peace processes and not to provoke harmful religious sentiments. It is by patient dialogue and persuasion and not by provocative words and decisions that people will respond to the needs of civic development . The Catholic Church community , said CBCI, will always work for a harmonious and peaceful resolution of all conflicts and unjust situations, so that all peoples and communities enjoy a lasting and fulfilling peace in our beloved Motherland.