After Mumbai bombings, Indian bishops call for unity against terrorism

(July 15, 2011) India’s Catholic bishops have appealed for unity in the country’s fight against terrorism a day after three bombs in western Indian Mumbai city killed 18 people and injured 133 so far. "We believe this is a moment in which the entire nation needs to be united in order to face terrorism with the greatest resolve. United in the spirit of brotherhood, we will be able to overcome the powers that are trying to destabilize our country," said a July 14 statement from the Catholic Bishops” Conference of India, CBCI, posted on its website. The July 13 explosions struck three crowded sites in Mumbai almost simultaneously during the evening rush hour. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks. While condemning the bomb attacks as a “dastardly act” the Indian bishops offered condolences to the families of the dead and expressed hope for a speedy recovery of the injured, many of whom were rushed to the city’s hospitals. "Violence has never been an enduring solution to any problem in society and those indulging in it contribute nothing but misery to their fellow human beings,” the Indian bishops said. “Mumbai, unfortunately, has again been a victim of mindless violence at the hands of awfully misguided elements and this must be fought with all resolve on our side,” they added,