The chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of India tells AsiaNews that the attack was meant to destroy the newly-found friendship between India and Pakistan, which must be united in this moment of grief. Perpetrators are “blinded by hate and ignorance.”

Delhi (AsiaNews) – “A most inhuman tragedy” caused by “elements who are blinded by hate and ignorance [. . .] trying to disrupt the peace process between the two countries,” Card Telesphore Toppo, chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of India, told AsiaNews. He was speaking about last night’s terror attack against the ‘Samjhauta Express”, the friendship train that links India and Pakistan. The death toll stands at 66, mostly Pakistani nationals.

The train service “was a symbol of the growing peace and harmony between India and Pakistan. Sadly, there are those who want to disrupt the friendship that is being built between the two countries and that is a cause for concern. India, just seven months ago, was a target of a series of deadly attacks, and now she weeps for this new tragedy. It is all very sad.”

According to cardinal Toppo, “now more than ever the world must bear witness so that evil does not have the last word. We cannot allow dark forces to prevail. We can fight through prayer and atonement and prevent acts of reprisals or cowardly deeds of violence.”

The prelate expressed his “deepest sympathy and closeness to those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones, victims of this act of terror. The Indian Church, through its parishes and mission stations, extends every support to the victims and their families. We want to help survivors, materially and spiritually.”

“Yesterday,” Cardinal Toppo concluded, “the Church proclaimed that the enemy must be loved. This is the teaching of the Scriptures and this is what we reaffirm: Pray that the divine light might illuminate this moment of darkness.” (NC)

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