SHILLONG, MAY 15: The Khasi Jaintia Synod Pdeng has expressed “heartbrokenness” over the killing of three pastors in Manipur and condemned the act as “cowardice,” saying violence against religious leaders is “an attack on the human community.”
In a statement, the church body said, “(We) express our heartbrokenness by the killing of innocent lives and especially the ambush that took away the lives of the three Pastors Rev Vumthang Sitlhou, former General Secretary Manipur Baptist Convention, Pastor V. Kaigoulun, and Pastor Paogoulen in Manipur in the last few days.”
The Synod said it was shell shocked by the killings. “On hearing the heinous acts we are shell shocked over the incidence because we could not imagine that lives of religious leaders who stand for peace and solidarity too were not spared. As the Synod we stand together in condemning such acts,” the statement read.
Calling the attack on clergy an assault on society, it added, “We may say that violence against those who serve God and the welfare of human beings is an attack on the human community. We strongly condemned such act of cowardice.”
Extending solidarity to the bereaved, the Synod said, “In such times and hours of grief, we stand together with their families and with the Church community in general. We share your grief, sorrow, and your pain. At the same time we pray that God the almighty will send his Holy Spirit in such a time of utter grief, sorrow and inconsolable situation.”
The statement stressed that no cause could justify the loss of innocent life. “It is true to say that no ideology, or grievance can justify the taking away of innocent lives and so may we see God’s pacifying hands instilling power not to give in to fear and division, but to meet hatred with love, and violence with unshakable desire to commitment for peace,” it said.
The Synod also prayed for strength to resist evil. “We pray that God equipped you all with divine power so as to enable you to battle the forces of evil with faith and courage, with love and assurance that in the end peace and tranquility will triumphed,” the release said.
