Condemning the growing communal violence in the country, the Catholic Church in India has appealed to the people to “rise above religion, caste, language or region and to unite in promoting peace, harmony and brotherhood.”
In a statement issued on July 11, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) said the “lynchings, killings, terrorist attacks in recent times are frightening and worrying.”
The bishops stated the militant attack on Hindu pilgrims returning from Amarnath shrine in Kashmir on July 10 was “dastardly and cowardly.” Seven pilgrims were killed and 12 were wounded as the bus they travelled got caught up in a gun battle between the militants and police near the town of Anantnag.
“This last attack is another sign of the flames of violence that seem to be unfortunately engulfing the country,” said the statement signed by Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, CBCI Secretary General.
