Bishop of Poona asks for prayer to end Israel-Hamas war
Bishop of Poona asks for prayer to end Israel-Hamas war
By: Pune Pulse
October 26, 2023
Pune: Around one hundred thousand Catholics from 40 churches within the Diocese of Poona are expected to answer Pope Francis’s plea to pray and fast for an end to the Israel-Hamas war this Friday.
During a general audience in Rome on October 18, Pope Francis emphasized the increasing number of casualties and the dire situation in Gaza. He firmly stated that war does not offer solutions but rather leads to death, destruction, hatred and revenge. The Pope urged individuals to align themselves with the cause of peace, stressing that war eliminates any hope for the future.
In a circular, Rt Rev John Rodrigues, the Bishop of Poona, called on all parishes to allocate dedicated time for prayer. Father Malcolm Sequeira, Vicar General of the Diocese of Poona, echoed the Bishop’s appeal, emphasizing the need for fervent prayers to end war, violence, and the suffering of victims worldwide, while also praying for peace.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India has received the prayers sent by Pope Francis. Individuals from various Christian denominations, as well as those from other religions and anyone concerned about global peace, are invited to participate as per the Pope’s request.
When asked for comment, Rev. Fr. Matthew Coutinho, SDB (Salesians of Don Bosco) and Vicar in Israel, expressed support for the call made by Cardinal Pieerbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Fr. Coutinho stressed the importance of replacing hatred and vengeance in our hearts with forgiveness, reconciliation, and love.
He believes that only through these actions can we break the cycle of violence and destruction and move towards harmony and peace. Various organizations in Pune, including the Pune Collective, Pune Union for Civil Liberties, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, and other groups, have issued an appeal to halt the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. On Friday, representatives from these organizations will come together to stage demonstrations at Goodluck Chowk.
