Church in India Condemns Court Bombing

(September 08, 2011) Church leaders and political parties in India have condemned a bomb blast at the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that killed at least 12 people and injured 62. "We are deeply pained at the heinous act of terror which has no meaning in any form but exposes the hollowness of the perpetrators who are anti national and a great threat to society”, write the bishops of India in an official statement, which continues: "Each human life is a gift of God and we must do everything to protect it.” Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Episcopal Conference of India, presently in Rome for the ad limina visit said: "The bishops of India are deeply disturbed by this new act of violence and terrorism: We condemn those responsible and once again we ask all to build brotherhood and peace in the country." Father Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said that it was a mindless act of violence, adding that the government would need to respond quickly and decisively to prevent such acts in the future. Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, who is on a state visit to Bangladesh, called the bombing a “cowardly act” in a statement. The federal government has also issued a nationwide alert, asking all states to step up security and take precautionary measures. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and members of the Security Council have strongly condemned this bomb attack in New Delhi. “The Secretary-General reiterates his firm stance that there is no justification for indiscriminate violence against civilians,” his spokesperson said in a statement. Both Mr. Ban and the 15-member Council extended their sincere condolences to the families of the victims.