VATICAN CITY (CNS): Pope Benedict XVI condemned the assassination of a Hindu leader in India and the anti-Christian violence unleashed after his murder even though Maoist rebels reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing.
“While I firmly condemn every attack on human life, whose sacredness must be respected by all, I express spiritual closeness and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the faith who are so harshly tried,” the Pope said.
At the end of his August 27 weekly general audience in the Vatican audience hall, the Pope appealed to “religious leaders and civil authorities to work together to re-establish among members of the different communities the peaceful co-existence and harmony which always have been a distinctive sign of Indian society”.
The Pope told visitors and pilgrims at his audience that he was saddened deeply by the violence in the eastern state of Orissa, “unleashed following the deplorable assassination of the Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati”.
After the leader’s August 23 murder, some of his followers attacked local Christians and their churches, institutions and homes, he said.
As of August 27, at least 10 people had died in the violence.
Meanwhile, the usually lively celebration of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s birthday was subdued and included prayers for those suffering from the violence, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.
The birthday program began on August 26 at the Missionaries of Charity headquarters in Calcutta with a solemn Mass with prayers for Christians in Orissa.
At least one Missionaries of Charity house was destroyed in the Orissa violence, a source said.
