Catholic leaders from all around the world are responding to the tragic shooting in Christchurch New Zealand that killed 52 people, showing solidarity and closeness to the Muslim community. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has expressed anguish and sadness at the massacre of Muslims in New Zealand. The bishops’ conference says the “demon of hatred and division” when unleashed is difficult to control and leaves behind “death, pain and sorrow.”
As reported by mattersindia.com, a March 16 condolence message from the bishops’ conference, said, “The Catholic Church in India prays for the souls of those killed in the senseless killing and implores God for quick and complete healing of the injured. We ask the Almighty God for comfort and consolation to the families of the victims.” The statement points out that the New Zealand attack has come nearly a month after the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir that killed 44 soldiers. “Even as the world grieved with us as our tragedy it has to reckon with yet another horror,” it adds.
The press note says the New Zealand tragedy draws attention to the use of social media for spreading hate and threatening messages, ultra-nationalistic rage and categorization of dissenters as anti-nationals. “It is time to call out hate mongers and take them to task,” the bishops’ message said and lauded New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her bold action against hatred. The terrorist attacks anywhere are crimes against humanity, the Indian bishops asserted.
Source: www.mattersindia.com
