ASIA/INDIA - Kashmir: Catholics pray for peace between India and Pakistan

Jammu (Fides Agency) - “The Catholic faithful of Kashmir are praying incessantly for peace in Kashmir. They pray in churches and homes. And they are marching the streets alongside other people of good will, carrying lit torches to shine the light of God and the flame of reconciliation and peace,” said Bishop Ivan Pereira of the Indian diocese of Jammu-Srinagar in an interview with Fides Agency. The small Catholic community (about 9,000 faithful out of a population of 13 million) carries its message of peace in the only Indian state with a Muslim majority, the state of Jammu and Kashmir, where, on April 22, a serious attack was carried out by Pakistani extremist groups, killing 26 Indian tourists. The attack caused a political crisis between India and Pakistan, the neighboring nations that have been fighting over the Kashmir region since 1947, when they went to war three times.
“We are experiencing a moment of tension and fear that is affecting the entire population,” the bishop told Fides. ‘We know that there are violations of the ceasefire in the border area. And according to widespread reports, the Indian police have destroyed several houses belonging to militants and terrorists. This is not an easy time for us here, and many are reliving the nightmare of conflict,’ he said, expressing his concern.
“The massacre,” the bishop continued, ”has truly shocked us. It was a serious and cowardly attack on the sanctity of life, perpetrated against innocent people who were enjoying their vacation. It was terrible. We are convinced that justice must be done, and we believe that the government will work even harder to dismantle terrorist organizations.”
Monsignor Pereira condemns “the attempt by those who want to destabilise the situation and relations between India and Pakistan,” and recalls the mission of the Catholic community in the northwestern Indian state: “To bring peace, harmony, brotherhood, and promote the dignity of every human being, regardless of culture or religion.”
The various Christian denominations are also actively involved, particularly through the schools that have existed in India for over a century and which welcome 99% Muslim students. Founded in 1893, the Catholic Institute of the Church of the Holy Family in Srinagar is one of around 40 Catholic schools in the state that continue to provide an education inspired by Christian values and promote brotherhood and social harmony.
“Our community,” Bishop Pereira concluded, ”is celebrating this jubilee of hope and placing its hope in God's work. Today, therefore, at this truly special time, we feel in full communion with the universal Church, which is praying for and electing the new successor of Peter through the work of the cardinals. In this troubled region, we are and feel ourselves to be part of the one Church. This spiritual communion gives us the strength to move forward.”
(PA) (Fides Agency 29/4/2025)

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