CBCI to observe July 2 as ‘Sunday for Peace & Prayer’

Thrissur: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has decided to observe July 2 as a Sunday for Peace and Prayer for the suffering people in Manipur.According to a message released here on Friday, CBCI president Andrews Thazhath, who is also the Archbishop of Thrissur, said apart from special prayers, other programmes like candlelight procession or peace rally can be organized as gestures of solidarity, on the day.“We are extremely saddened by the current situation in Manipur. Unprecedented violence and instability have held sway over the region since May 3.According to the information received from the Archbishop of Imphal, violence and arson have continued unabated since the conflict began, notably in the outlying areas of the region’s valley. Houses and villages have been torched or completely destroyed, valuables have been stolen and plundered, and places of worship have been desecrated and set on fire.More than 50,000 people have been displaced, rendered homeless and are suffering in various relief camps and private residences. Many people have left the city. Lots of people have fled Imphal and the State for safer localities, including the adjacent state of Mizoram, other north-eastern states and major cities. The violence had claimed the lives of almost 100 people,’’ the statement said.The decision to observe June 2 as Sunday for Peace was taken at the meeting of the CBCI office-bearers and this decision will be communicated to all on the coming Sunday. The CBCI has appealed to the archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, catechists, and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in India to join hands with “like-minded individuals and organizations that share our vision of peace so that our common efforts for building an environment of harmony and understanding can have a greater impact.”