Christians hold ecumenical prayer to wake up humanity against terrorism

Protestants, Catholics and other Christians hold a prayer meeting in Dhaka and Khulna. In the capital, Mgr D'Rozario called on “dormant humanity [to] become aware of the violence". In Khulna, “I feel comforted by this prayer,” said one Protestant. “I hope the terrorists stop persecuting us”.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Some 2,000 Bangladeshi Christians, from various denominations, gathered yesterday to condemn Islamic terrorism, which has left a long trail of blood across the country, and pray for humanity to wake up.

The ecumenical prayer service was held simultaneously in the Archdiocese of Dhaka and in the Diocese of Khulna. Participants called for action to stop a wave of violence by Islamic radicals against members of minorities, foreigners, students, professors, bloggers and secular activists.

In the capital, the meeting took place in Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Tejgaon, which has the country’s largest Catholic congregation, more than 20,000 members.

Fr Kamal Corraya spoke to AsiaNews about the event. "We live in fear because every day ordinary folks become victims of Islamic militants. For this reason, we urged Christian leaders to call on humanity to wake up.”

Mgr Patrick D'Rozario, archbishop of Dhaka, led the prayer. Archbishop George Kocherry, apostolic nuncio in Bangladesh, and various Protestant clergymen were present, each reading a passage from the Bible.

"All mankind cries because no one is safe in this country,” Fr Corraya said.

“Today, Bangladesh’s Christian community is united in this prayer that we offer to God Almighty,” said Mgr D’Rozario.

“Let us pray that this will become a country of unity, peace and harmony,” he added. “Let us pray that dormant humanity become aware of the violence, murders committed in secret, and the persecution. May Almighty God bless [the terrorists] so that they change their minds."

"There is no place for violence in the teachings of Jesus Christ,” said Paul Shishi, moderator of the Protestant Church of Bangladesh.

In Khulna Mgr James Romen Boiragi led the prayer meeting. "I feel comforted by this prayer,” said one Protestant present at the prayer meeting. “I hope the terrorists stop persecuting us, and that we may live in peace.”

• bangladesh
• prayer
• christians
• archdiocese of dhaka
• lhulna
• terrorism
• islamic violence