The Catholic Association of the Shillong Archdiocese on Tuesday announced that as a mark of expressing solidarity, all Churches in the Shillong Archdiocese will offer Holy Masses for the departed souls and those injured in the Sri Lanka bomb blasts throughout the week.
Catholic Association, Shillong general secretary Barnabas Nongbah in a statement said that on behalf of the faithful of the Catholic Church of the Shillong Archdiocese, the Association while expressing shock and distress over the death of almost 300 people in the bomb at locations, which included churches and hotels, across Sri Lanka, on Easter Sunday morning, has strongly condemned this senseless act of terror resulting in the death and injury of innocent lives and the destruction of property.
Nongbah informed that prayers are being offered for the almost 300 persons who died and those injured in the bomb blasts.
While conveying heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, Nongbah said that Catholic faithful also entreated in their prayers for the early recovery of the many injured in the attacks.
Besides inviting the Catholic faithful, Nongbah also extended an invitation to all people of good will to the Holy Mass and memorial service to be held on April 24 at 5.30 PM at the Cathedral Church of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, for offering prayers for the victims of the bomb blasts and for invoking God’s Blessings for World Peace.
Meanwhile prayers and condolences have poured in from various quarters.
BJP MLA from South Shillong constituency and candidate for the Lok Sabha polls from Shillong parliamentary constituency, Sanbor Shullai also expressed his deepest condolence to the families of innocent victims of Sunday bomb blast.
Condemning the terror and barbaric act which targeted Churches and Christian worshippers on the holy occasion of Easter Sunday, Shullai termed the violence on this holy day as “cowardly act” against all belief and against freedom of religion.
A two-minute silence and prayers for the victims was also observed during a meeting of the Executive Committee of all committees and Associations under South Shillong Assembly constituency.
The BJP Meghalaya Pradesh also condemned the horrific act and conveyed deepest condolences to the innocent victims who died in the bomb blast when they gathered for prayer in various Churches on Easter Sunday, as well as citizens of Sri Lanka and international community staying in hotels.
In a statement issued by David Kharsati, BJP state Vice President, the BJP appealed for peace and hope for quick and stringent action against the perpetrators of this heinous act of terror.
“We pray for Sri Lanka and our solidarity is with the people of this nation,” Kharsati said.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of India has also strongly condemned the attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
Condemning the attack, Rev. G.S. Lyttan, senior administrative secretary, Presbyterian Church of India, Shillong (Meghalaya), said, “We strongly condemn such acts to occur not only In Sri Lanka but anywhere in the world and instead, unitedly work for peace and harmony”.