"The Asian Bishops strongly condemn the violence
against Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya. They also condemn the mentality of
division, discrimination and communalism that breeds violence. They
demand a serious commitment with regards to inter-religious harmony and
justice, especially towards the poor and towards minorities,” Fr.
Nithiya Sagayam, Executive Secretary of the Office for Human Development
in the "Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences" (FBAC), told Fides news
agency. In his statement to Fides, Fr. Sagayam expressed the Federation’s position regarding yesterday morning’s bomb blast at the Bodh Gaya complex in the Indian state of Bihar.
“This is the most important Buddhist shrine in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to preliminary investigations on the attack, the violence seems to be of Islamic matrix, which could be connected to the violence that Muslims are suffering in Myanmar by Buddhist extremists,” Fides reports.
According to Fides, Fr. Sagayam who is also director of "Udhayam," a Center for Peace started by the Capuchin friars in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, reiterated the importance of working at a local level: "Every bishop in his diocese is called to work for peace , reconciliation, harmony and social justice. It is important that this work is carried out in different areas, in different dioceses, in many Asian nations. Asia is a continent that needs peace as a prerequisite for authentic human development, respectful of the dignity of every person."