Candle light prayers for the people of Burma
The Delhi Archdiocese has organised a vigil Sunday to take place in Sacred Heart Cathedral. The archbishop explains his worries over the junta’s actions and recalls: the Church proclaims the sanctity of life, there were humanity is oppressed, we lift up a chorus of voices
- Myanmar
- India
October 5, 2007
by Nirmala Carvalho
Delhi (AsiaNews) – A candle-light prayer vigil to show support for the people of Burma and the Churches solidarity with all who peacefully fight for justice and freedom. This is the aim of the candle-light procession organised for October 7th in the Archdiocese of Delhi, together with the area’s Christian community, to take place in Sacred Heart Cathedral
Archbishop of Delhi, Msgr. Vincent Concessao, tells AsiaNews: “The people of Myanmar are an oppressed people who have been denied Democracy ever since the junta took over 45 years year ago imposing military rule Their Freedom, and their Rights are Our concern, and we can express solidarity with their suffering through this Candle Lit procession where we will pray for them, that a peaceful solution will be found, that their Rights may be restored and Freedom may return to Myanmar”. The universal Church, continues the prelate “proclaims that Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the starting point for a moral vision for society and whenever people are being oppressed – the Church raises her voice. The dignity and Rights of the human person is one of the causes for what the Church works”. Msgr. Concessao concludes “our mission demands that we should courageously denounce injustice- and this is with reference to the current situation in Myanmar, that the Church listens to the cry of those who suffer violence and are oppressed by unjust systems and structures. So this candle Lit demonstration will also be to; show the people in our nation that the Church stands for the values of the Kingdom and the Church strives to continue the Mission of Christ that is to work and serve towards a society and community where Justice Peace and Truth prevail”.
Fr. Susai Sebastian, Secretary, Justice and Peace Commission, Archdiocese of Delhi, adds: “The Christian community in India has watched with anguish the brutal repression of the people of our neighbouring country, Myanmar. The most reprehensible recent military attempt to crush the peaceful protest of Buddhist monks of Burma has shaken the conscience of the world, and has moved the people of India who fully understand what it means to be not just free, but to enjoy the fruits of Independence in an environment of Democracy”.
Fr. Dominic Emmanuel, Spokesperson, Archdiocese of Delhi, concludes: “Solidarity with the monks in Myanmar is the least that the Church in India and around the world can think of and can actually do. Anything that is non-violent is fully supported by the Church.”
