Churches across Goa to hold prayers for peace on October 16

Amid tension between India and Pakistan, churches across Goa will on October 16 hold prayers for peace in the region.
"The recent escalation of tension along our borders has been causing serious concern to our respective populations and has prompted the President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India to issue a circular asking that a day - October 16 - be set aside as a day of prayer for India," Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao said today.
"I too wold like to call upon the members of the Church in this Archdiocese and other people of good will to join us in praying for one another and for peace in our land," said the Archbishop.

Ferrao said peace has always figured amongst humanity's highest values, whether it is seen as absence of conflict or as an abiding state of harmony and tranquillity.
"Ironically, it is one of the most eluding goods in today's society. The fragile peace along the Indian border with neighbouring Pakistan is regularly disturbed by exchange of fire and other forms of violence, revealing a simmering state of hostility and suspicion between two countries that otherwise share linguistic, cultural, geographical and even economic links", he added.
The Archbishop has requested the parish priests, religious and lay leaders, to conduct special prayers for the nation on October 16.

"I call upon members of other religious communities in our Archdiocese to join us in praying for our mother India," he added.