JOIN USCatholic bishops in Karnataka have expressed “pain and deep anguish” at the “terrible blasts” that took place in Lahore, Pakistan, on Easter Sunday.
“We, KRCBC (Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops Council) 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,” the bishops have said in a statement released to the press.
“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,” the bishops said.
This beastly event goes along with the killing of the four religious sisters and the kidnapping of a missionary priest, Fr Thomas, SDB, “whose whereabouts are still uncertain”. The world is seeking the safe return of the priest in the midst of unwanted rumours. “We pray for the family of Fr Thomas and the Salesian community that their uncertainty may come to an end.”
Paris, Brussels blasts
“Certainly, the blasts of Brussels in Belgium airport and Metro station, the blasts of France that took away so many lives, the massacre and refugee problems of Africa are still fresh before us. On 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. We pray to the merciful God that he may change the hearts of these cruel persons and make them gentle like His own heart,” the press statement said.