PRESS NOTE

 

We the Archbishop of Bangalore and all the Bishops of Karnataka (KRCBC) express our pain and deep anguish at the Terrible Blast that took place at Lahore, Pakistan on Easter Sunday, 27th of March 2016. As per the news received more than 60 persons have died and more than 220 persons injured, some of them very seriously, leaving them in a critical condition. The people around are living in fear and uncertainty unable to accept the loss of their dear ones. It was the inhuman task of the suicide bomber who is said to be a 20 year old young man, placing the explosives in the holiday park outside Lahore targeting children and women particularly. It was the festival crowd that bore the brunt and we regret this inhuman act. With the many dead several Christians too have been the victims.

 

This beastly event goes along with the killing of the four religious sisters and kidnapping of a missionary priest Fr Thomas, SDB whose whereabouts are still uncertain. The world is indeed seeking for the safe return of this priest in the midst of unwanted rumours and we extend our prayers along with the entire world community that he may come back to us safe and sound.

 

Certainly the blasts of Brussels in Belgium Airport and Railway station, the blasts of France that took away so many lives, the massacre and refugee problems of Africa are still fresh before us. On the Easter day, the Risen Jesus came to give us the message of peace, love and hope. Looking around and contemplating on these tragedies, the sign of peace seems to evade us and has run away from us. May the Lord of peace rule us and his peace and hope remain with us.

 

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has declared this year as the Jubilee Year of Mercy. “Be merciful as the heavenly Father is merciful,” is the humble cry that echoes in our ears. In the midst of this beautiful message we recognize the hatred, murder and pain that leaves people in the world in an uncertain atmosphere, building fear in their hearts and inability to relate themselves with each other.

 

We KRCBC as a body strongly condemn this inhuman act of violence and destruction that has brought unrest in the world. We extend our sympathies to the members of the bereaved families and those who are suffering because of this act of inhuman persons. We pray for the family of Fr Thomas, SDB and the Salesian Community that their uncertainty may come to an end. We pray to the merciful God that he may change the hearts of these cruel persons and make them gentle like His own heart.

 

Most Rev Dr. Bernard Moras                                                                                     Fr. Eugene Lobo S.J.       Archbishop of Bangalore and President KRCBC                                           PRO, KRCBC   Mob: 9845030380