Archbishop of Imphal: 'God has not forgotten Manipur'

Msgr. Linus Neli's Christmas message to the faithful in the Indian state rocked by violence. Let us bring flashes of God's peace to the world around us. Yesterday, meanwhile, interreligious prayers were held in Imphal and many other cities in India for the suffrage of the dead and for reconciliation

Imphal (AsiaNews) - "God's love is boundless" and even today he makes himself present in the world "in the humblest form, not as a powerful ruler, but as a vulnerable newborn, born in a poor and humble stable."

This is the heart of the Christmas message released today by Msgr. Linus Neli, the archbishop of Imphal, capital of that Indian state of Manipur that has been shaken for almost two years now by ethnic violence that has claimed hundreds of lives and still in recent weeks has experienced new bloody days.

"God's promises," the bishop of Manipur writes to his suffering community, "do not end with the birth of Jesus. Scripture points to a time when His kingdom will be fully realized. Isaiah's vision of the messianic kingdom paints a picture of perfect peace, where there will be no more war, no more suffering, no more death. This is the hope to which we, as believers, cling; God will set everything right."

"As we look around," the prelate continued, "we are faced with the harsh realities of a world in ruins: wars, conflicts, suffering, divisions and unrest. These problems persist in every corner of the earth, even in our own state and communities. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, discouraged and even abandoned by God. But in the midst of these problems, we are called to remember that God has not forgotten us. And Christmas reminds us once again of the good news of God the Savior's commitment to His divine plan for humanity, a plan that will ultimately bring healing, reconciliation and forgiveness."

"We are also called to live as members of God's family (cf. Eph. 2:19; Rom.), bringing flashes of God's peace to the world around us," urges the Archbishop of Imphal. Every act of love, every word of grace, every moment of reconciliation is a testimony to the promise that one day the whole earth will be filled with his glory and peace (cf. Nm 14:20-21)."

"The time has come for us," Msgr. Neli concludes, "to welcome back Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, celebrating peace in the land of Manipur that has suffered violence and unrest for many years, especially in this time of uncertainty about what the future holds. Let us accept the gift of divine peace that the world cannot give and let us be bearers of this peace, hope and love." 

Yesterday, meanwhile, interfaith prayers, meditations, expressions of mourning and solidarity, peace songs, paintings, and appeals for normalcy and peace were the ingredients of the "Mourning and Forgiveness for Manipur" initiative, which saw people of different religions in Imphal and many other cities in India come together to launch a message of peace. The initiative was promoted by the COVA network, a large group of Indian organizations working for harmony among religious communities, peace, and social justice.

In Imphal, the capital of Manipur, more than 100 people gathered representing the five major religions-Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Jain. They prayed together for all the precious lives lost in this conflict and expressed their concern and solidarity for the pain and suffering of the survivors. A Peace Fund was also started in Manipur, with an invitation to donate at least one rupee a day for the education of the younger generation in peace building and conflict resolution.

Similar programs have also been organized in Ranipur (Madhya Pradesh), Tinsukia (Assam), Raipur (Chattisgarh), Khordha (Orissa), Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Dhubri (Assam), Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh), and in the cities of Jabalpur, New Delhi, and Hyderabad.

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