July 2 national day of prayer and solidarity with Manipur

Day of Paryer called by Bishops' Conference president Msgr. Thazhath to invoke from God the gift of peace and raise awareness of the violence between Meitei and Kuki in the northeastern state. Imphal Archbishop Msgr. Lumon: "We are working to reopen dialogue between the two communities, but the situation remains stuck. Only prayer can help us." Already today in Mumbai an initiative by Card. Gracias.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church of India has called for a day of prayer on Sunday, July 2, for an end to the ongoing violence in Manipur state that has already left more than 100 people dead and tens of thousands displaced among the Meitei and Kuki populations since the beginning of May.

The initiative was announced yesterday in a message from Archbishop of Trichur, Andrews Thazhath, who is the president of the Cbci. The prelate is already inviting bishops and priests this Sunday to announce this joint initiative. The invitation is to live "this day in a meaningful way throughout the country."

Suggested gestures include adding special intentions for peace and harmony to the prayers of the faithful and holding an hour of adoration in all parishes to intercede for the people of Manipur.

The bishops' conference also hopes to organize torchlight processions or peace rallies to help spread awareness about the situation in Manipur.

Commenting from Manipur to AsiaNews on these solidarity initiatives, Archbishop of Imphal Dominic Lumon said: "In the city the situation right now is calm, things are settling down, but in the suburbs, where the valley ends and the hills begin, in the places where both communities live together, the situation continues to be very tense. Shots are still being heard. Unfortunately, despite interfaith meetings, the position of both groups is very rigid: no solution is in sight at the moment. Only prayers can help. On Monday we will convene the Manipur Interfaith Forum again: we are meeting regularly every 4-5 days trying to plan strategies on how to restart the dialogue."

Bishop Lumon also expresses his gratitude to Card. Gracias: "From the first days he has expressed his solidarity with us," he recounts. "He is known as a bridge builder, and he is a continuous source of encouragement for me. I thank him for his closeness to us and his anguish for our safety. May God bless us with peace."

The archbishop calls on Indian Catholics to encourage associations, movements and NGOs to convey their serious concern to federal government officials, "particularly the alarming disregard in that region for the principles enshrined in the Constitution."

Finally, Archbishop Thazhath calls on Catholics to "generously welcome" people from Manipur and to provide school and reception facilities for migrant students.  

In Mumbai, Card. Oswald Gracias already today made this invitation his own by praying for the people of Manipur on the feast of St. John the Baptist. Together with all members of the Curia, he began the day by asking for God's intercession for the many people who are suffering.

Citing the latest report released by the Archdiocese of Imphal, he recalled how in Manipur today there is "fear, uncertainty and a general sense of hopelessness" with more than 50 thousand people left homeless due to violence.

• Violence
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• Manipur