India’s Latin-rite Church
dedicates Divine Mercy Sunday to Sri Lanka bomb victims
 |
| Mourners burying their loved one in a cemetary in Negambo, Sri Lanka (AFP) |
Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman, the
president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), is inviting
the Latin-rite faithful to dedicate the April 28 Divine Mercy Sunday as a day
of prayer and solidarity for Sri Lanka, following Easter Sunday’s bombings.
By Robin Gomes
India’s Latin-rite Church has pledged its closeness and
solidarity with the victims of the terrorist bomb attacks in Sri Lanka on
Sunday, dedicating Divine Mercy Sunday on April 28 as a day of
prayer and solidarity with the Church and people of the island nation.
Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and
Daman, the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India
(CCBI), that comprises the country’s Latin-rite bishops, released a
statement on Wednesday, inviting CCBI member dioceses and the major superiors
of religious congregations to join the initiative.
A string of suicide bomb attacks hit three churches during
Easter Sunday morning service in Sri Lanka. Three luxury hotels packed
with tourists were also attacked.
Two of the places of worship were Catholic churches: St.
Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo and St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo.
Another blast at the Evangelical Zion Church in the eastern coastal city of
Batticaloa also claimed numerous lives.
On Wednesday, 3 days after the attacks in Sri Lanka, the
death toll climbed to 359 with more than 500 injured.
Archbishop Ferrao urged that during the Eucharistic
celebrations on Divine Mercy Sunday, special prayers of the
faithful be added for the departed souls, the injured and the affected
families, “who are plunged in grief and pain due to these senseless attacks.”
He particularly urged that the faithful spend some time in
“prayer before the Eucharistic Risen Lord, so that the country of Sri Lanka may
experience healing and receive the gift of peace.”
Archbishop Ferrao suggested that, wherever possible,
“a candle-light procession be organized, to draw the attention
of our people to the gruesome tragedy that occurred in our neighbouring country
and to invite them to pray with us for peace and harmony throughout the world.”
Asia Churches’ solidarity
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India have separately sent messages to the
Church in Sri Lank expressing their solidarity.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka
(CBCSL) is urging the people to stay calm and act with prudence and restraint.
It also demanded from the government security for the people and called
for an immediate inquiry.
While the government blamed the local Islamist group
National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) for the suicide bombings, the Islamic State
group on Tuesday claimed responsibility.
Government’s failure
Sri Lanka's government has acknowledged it received warnings
of impending terrorist attacks on churches. Sri Lankan president
Maithripala Sirisena has asked for the resignations of the defence secretary
and the national police chief after security forces failed to act on warnings
ahead of Easter Sunday.
The number of suspects arrested so far has risen to 60.
Further details have emerged regarding the attackers.
Police have been able to identify 8 out of 9 attackers - one
of whom was a woman - with no foreigners among them.
Most of the attackers were "well educated" and
"middle class", and one of them studied in the UK and in Australia
before returning to Sri Lanka.
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