From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 29: A meeting of all Christian leaders on the ongoing violence in Iraq and the genocide of innocent Christians in Bangalore on Wednesday has decided to observe Friday, the September 12, as a day of 'fasting and prayer’ for the suffering Christians in Iraq and observe 'Black Sunday’ on September 14 and also a public rally.

The meeting coordinated by Federation of Karnataka Catholics and Christians Associations (FCCA) and attended by Christian leaders, priests, pastors, sisters and lay leaders held at the Paalana Bhavan, also decided to draw the attention of the State and Central Governments to condemn the genocide of Christians in Iraq.

''We also plan to organize protests in other parts of Karnataka and in other States too,” Abraham said in a media release.

Fr Jose Kumblolickal, Provincial Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS) spoke of the need to collectively take a stand immediately to demonstrate and let the world know that we the Christians in Bangalore are concerned about the happenings in Iraq against Christians, especially those Christians who have preferred to sacrifice their lives, instead of embracing Islam.

Sr Alice P T, FSI, Superior of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate (FSI), expressed solidarity and offered all the help of her community that would be required in this direction and also expressing pain about the way in which those people’s lives have been cut short for upholding the faith.

Rev Dr D Manohar Chandra Prasad (CSI) spoke of the need for the Christians the people of the Covenants to go into what is happening to the Palestinians in Israel also.

Sr Lincy Cherian, SCSC Provincial of Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, Holy Cross Provincialate, felt that there is a need for us to also remember the sufferings our brothers and sisters in Syria, Ukraine and so on, hence along with a protest against what is happening in Iraq against Christians we need to also send out our opinion of non-acceptance of violence.

Further stated that any kind of a voice from Bangalore will be heard by the world, hence there was a need to invite the attention of world leaders, Human Rights forum and even the UNO.

She also felt that along with this we need to physically demonstrate our anguish against the happenings in Iraq.

Fr Thomas Kallukalam, representing Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, CMI, felt the need to observe a day of prayer and fasting and secondly bring all denominations together and have a march or a rally to demonstrate that we are opposed to the inhuman genocide in Iraq and also elsewhere.
Rev N J Samson, Chairman and President, Karnataka Baptist Federation, felt it was a good beginning that so many denominations have come together to discuss the action plan on Iraq.

He suggested that everyone together as a Christian body and observe a day of prayer and also an action plan to chalk out the form of protest against the persecution in Iraq.

Pastor Rev Robinson Pal, representing the Pentecostal Church felt that our protest in Bangalore, which has thousands of Churches and several Lakhs of Christians, some or most of whom have non-Christian names should let the entire Country know that we are not happy with what is happening in Iraq.

Fr Alwyn Dias, Vicar Provincial, Capuchin Province of Karnataka strongly felt “when we see violence our silence is also an equally condemnable violence and injustice against humanity, when we do not raise our voice against it”, and urged everyone to raise their voice or be ready to accept the blame that we are also a part of the violence by our silence.

Fr Jerry Kurian, Representing the Bishop of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, spoke about the need to understand the Israel issue not just Iraq but preceding Iraq, Syria and Palestine putting it together.

He strongly felt that the problem in Iraq was caused by a “misunderstanding of Islam”, those who propagate the holocaust were unaware of true Islam.

Fr Ronnie Prabhu, PRO of the Bangalore Archdioceserepresenting the Archbishop of Bangalore, felt the need to exercise the power of meditation and communicate vehemently, others may not listen yet there would be an effect on all of them when we communicate through protests and felt that there must be a reflection of the sufferings, the pain, the anguish and the brokenness of Christians in Iraq in every church and in every community.

Fr Herald Christopher, MSFS, Principal, St Francis De Sales PU College, suggested the using of electronic media extensively and also suggested that Christians of all denominations should not only in Bangalore or Karnataka but all over.

Abraham T J explained the purpose the meeting and Rev Dr D Manohar Chandra Prasad of the CSI church, led the prayers before the commencement of the meeting.