Christians marched for peace in Pune

Today every one of us might know that around 3000 Christians marched for peace in bomb-hit Pune along with Catholic and Protestant bishops in a peace rally in Pune on 22nd of this month to condemn the bomb attack that killed 15 people and wounded 56. The Catholic priests and nuns were in processing for condemning terrorism and highlighting the promotion of peace, harmony and the protection for every life. This has been an example that we people of Christ care for every life which is created by God.

Bomb attacks and terrorism fear every human and it creates unsafe life today. Regarding to this I was taking a telephonic interview with a Jesuit priest Fr. Irudyaraj Manickam S.J. (known as Fr.Raj) who is the rector and a Theology professor at Jesuit Theology Centre, Sevasi in Baroda in Gujarat. He said that Pune rally has given a massage that we Christians ask for maintaining peace and love rather than killing lives and creating unsafe world. The rally has given a massage that love and peace bring harmony and protection for every soul. It is the example of unity and love and care for others.

He said that bomb blasts and terrorism does not distinguish between the guilty and the innocent, it has no morality or ethical values. Fr. Raj said that all Catholics should fast and pray for peace and love and also for those who are killed and injured in Pune bomb blast. We must pray for sick and suffering people during this Lent season and especially on Friday in the way of the cross prayer. He said that we Catholics do fast in Lent every year. But that is only for oneself. But by thinking out of the box he has appealed every Catholic to fast to save one time meal to help our needy and hungry brothers and sisters in Lent. He said that if possible every parish must take initiative to offer Sunday mass for those who are killed and injured at German Bakery in Pune.

Fr. Raj S.J. is in the above photo.

- Vijay Macwan (Bhumel)