Tragedy in the mail

[Sr. Janet]

‘Dear All,
Urgent Prayer needed now. Holy Cross Convent Thane Gate Burnt. Riots
in progress. Please send 2 as many prayer warriors.
From,
Benny’

That was all it said. I do not know the writer of the e-mail, nor from
what part of India he was writing. I can only imagine the fear in
which that brief message was written and that is what makes it so
frightening.

I have never been to India, but I have known many Indians and am
privileged to count some of the people of that vast Continent amongst
my dearest friends.

Several days ago, visiting England on other business, I met an Indian
journalist, who spoke passionately about the country she had left only
days previously. She was articulate, very well-informed and eager to
speak. There was a marked urgency about her words that matched the
many equally urgent e-mails I have received during the past couple of
weeks from the Jesuits of the Indian programme of Vatican Radio.
Theirs is an attempt to get the horror of all that is currently
happening in their homeland out to the rest of the world.

Thank God, most of us will never know what it is like to look from the
window of one’s home to see a riot in full swing, with a great
possibility of serious injury and even death. Places where there has
been no history of conflict between Hindu and Christian are suddenly
torn apart. Terrible stories are emerging by the hour, and yet they do
not reach the rest of the world where politics and the economic crisis
are the lead headlines.

Let us pray, pray, pray for the people of India at this time. May
there be healing and understanding. May God bless a Continent known
for the depth of its spirituality and religious faith.

Prince of Peace, bring peace to your little ones, regardless of their
faith.

God bless,
Sr Janet