Catholics hold candlelight service for victims of Manipur violence

KOHIMA— Catholics in Kohima held a prayer and candlelight service for the victims of Manipur violence on June 24 evening at St. Francis de Sales (SFS) parish in Kohima town on the theme “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall called children of God” (Mt.5:9).

Speaking on the occasion, Gerard Meyase, secretary of Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN), has shared on the profound impact of May 3 incidents and its subsequent effects, which has plunged the neighboring state of Manipur into an unparalleled humanitarian crisis. He recalled how several lives were lost, properties devastated, livelihoods shattered and forcing thousands to seek refuge and shelter in relief camps.

“Our brothers and sisters in these camps are in dire need of essential commodities such as food, clothing, and medicine,” Meyase expressed with urgency adding, “The conflict has escalated to the point where it resembles an open war between two communities in Manipur.”

He highlighted that the crisis has not only affected specific communities but burdened all inhabitants of the state. He lamented that even hundreds of non-Manipuris working or studying in Manipur have faced the brunt of the catastrophe.

In addition to the communal nature of the conflict, Meyase drew attention to the religious dimension of the crisis, wherein over 400 churches were damaged.

He has quoted Archbishop Dominic Lumon who stated, “The Catholic Church and its institutions have suffered the wrath of the mob in at least 10 locations.” Meyase has shared his personal experience and explained how the situation prevented him from contacting his friends in Manipur for weeks due to the lack of mobile data. He narrated a story about a friend who had texted him a week ago, revealing that she and her husband managed to escape to Senapati, while her parents remained in relief camps in Chandel.

Meyase also recounted another heartbreaking incident involving a friend who tearfully sent him a satellite image of their burned-down house. It was the house that his father had built with his life’s savings upon retirement, representing a lifetime’s work now lost.

Reflecting on the overall theme, Meyase referred to the words of Pope Francis, who said, “The Lord bestows His gift not as the world does, where ‘peace’ is often achieved at the expense of others, but by eradicating hostility within Himself.”

Songs including ‘Make me a channel of your peace’ and ‘Lord make us instrument of your peace’ were performed by St. Mary’s Convent Sisters, while Francis Belho and team sang ‘Hymn for peace’ during the event.