INDIA Catholics across India Pray For Mumbai Victims

(December 6, 2008) Catholics across India have joined rallies and organized special programs to pray for the people killed in the Mumbai attacks. In Mumbai on Dec. 3, about 10,000 people with lighted candles gathered at the Gateway of India, near where terrorists laid siege to two luxury hotels. About 190 people died as terrorists sprayed bullets from assault rifles and exploded grenades at 11 locations in the city, India's commercial capital. Delhi archdiocese organized an interreligious prayer program outside its Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi on Dec. 2. About 200 Buddhists, Bahai followers, Christians and Muslims attended the program with religious leaders reading from their respective Scriptures and praying in their own tradition for peace and unity. Venerable Bhikshu Dhammanand, a Buddhist monk said that terrorism stems from selfishness, which he said could be countered by people loving one another and living in peace. Akram Raza Khan, a Muslim representative at the prayer meeting said Islam’s deepest sorrow is that some in the name of Islam are killing others, so people now look upon all Muslims as violent. Belthangady diocese in southern India has announced its parishes will conduct special prayers daily for a month for peace in India. In Hyderabad, the All India Christian Council issued a statement on Dec. 2 expressing solidarity with all Indians and the people of the many other countries affected by the attacks in Mumbai. Jesuit Father Cyril Desbruslais said that on Dec. 3 that Pune, conducted three separate prayer and peace rallies between Nov. 29 and 30. In the eastern city of Kolkata, the Conference of Religious India organized a candlelight vigil and prayer on Nov. 29. About 200 Catholic priests, laypeople and members of other faiths attended. Christians in Lucknow, northern India, organized an interreligious candlelight prayer program on Nov. 30.