Governor urges Christians to build peace

(January 15, 2009) Indian Christians should respond more actively to social evils and terrorism affecting society aiming to bring peace and harmony, says Maharashtra governor Sanayangba Chubatoshi Jamir. "Christians in India could play an important role in restoring peace, harmony and unity in the country under the prevailing circumstances," he told a peace meet on Jan. 12 organized by the Fellowship of the Mumbai Bishops. He said in the decades after independence India used to respond in unison if one part of the country faced a tragedy. But that spirit slowly died down. As an example he pointed the case of north east India. For the past several decades terrorism and secessionism have been spilling blood in the region, particularly in Nagaland. But no one seems to respond, even Christians keep mum, he said. Nagaland is one of India’s only three Christian majority states. The region also houses the other two Christian majority states. Maoist groups working in the interiors villages of India are “an outcry of the hungry.” These groups are often accused of indulging in violence against the state and land owners. Such violence and insurgency could be checked if people are approached compassion and humanitarian regards, he said adding Christians can do much in this line. Fellowship of the Mumbai Bishops includes Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, Orthodox Syrian Archbishop of Bombay metropolitan Gee Varghese Mar Coorilos, Bishop Mar Thomas Elavanal of Kalyan.