45,000 Church institutions catering to Five million students remain closed to bring spotlight on Orissa violence
Christian denominations like the Church of South India (CSI) and Marthoma Syrian Church joined the protest against the violence. “All those attending our institutions will attend work wearing black badges," said an official of Mar Thoma Church at its headquarters in Thiruvalla. In Kerala, around 5,900 educational institutions remained closed. The institutions that were closed in Kerala include four medical colleges and 11 engineering colleges run by the Catholic Church.

In Delhi scores of Christians marched to Orissa Bhawan, the office of the state resident commissioner, to protest the violence in Orissa against Christians. “Christians from at least 30 churches across the country participated in the rally in Delhi.

Several social activists like Udit Raj and Teesta Setelvad also participated in the protest march to Orissa Bhawan and addressed the gathering there. Read more

7th to 21st September, to be observed as a fortnight of prayer and solidarity for peace and harmony of all people of faith in India.

NCCI intitating an inter-faith peace group for peace measures in Orissa.

Rev.Raj Bharath Patta,Executive Secretary, Commission on Dalits and Adivasis, National Council of Churches in India, writes:

At a moment like this, we all need to be united in our efforts, and we in NCCI are working hard to get connected with people in Orissa through our regional council, the Utkal Christian Council. An inter-faith peace group is envisaged to be initiated for peace measures in Orissa, and I also request you all to organise inter-faith groups in your localities in sensitizing them in addressing issues on communal violence and for a wider network of solidarity for the Dalit Christians in Orissa.

It was also decided that on the 7th September 2008, Sunday, the Churches will declare a day of prayer and fasting and will hold prayer services and memorial gatherings, highlighting the need for solidarity with all the victims and pray for peace and harmony among people of all faiths. Therefore I urge you all to join in observing the day of prayer on the 7th, wherever you are and take the lead in your local congregations to do so. At our NCCI secretariat, few prayers and a brief worship order has been prepared and is posted on our NCCI website for you all to make use of those resources for the 7th. As we all know 21st September is celebrated as the International Day of Prayer for Peace, which was initiated by the World Council of Churches, may I also ask you all to take the occasion from the 7th to 21st September, a fortnight, in calling all people of faith for prayer and solidarity for peace and harmony in India.

Read it all

Sphere: Related Content