Catholics in Manipur, a northeastern Indian state that has experienced ethnic violence and social unrest since 2023, gathered for the All-Manipur Rosary Prayer Day for Peace on June 1 at St. Mary’s Parish in Punanamei, under the Archdiocese of Imphal.
Around 300 faithful participated in the prayer gathering, offering the Rosary for peace, reconciliation, and harmony across the violence-affected state.
The Rosary was followed by a special Eucharistic Adoration with the same intention. During a reflection, Fr. Athili Martin, SDB, the newly installed parish priest, called on the faithful to become witnesses of peace and reconciliation in their communities.
Referring to the Feast of the Holy Trinity, Fr. Martin presented the Trinity as the perfect model of love, unity, and communion. He reflected on God’s boundless love for humanity, manifested through the gift of His Son for the salvation of the world and the sending of the Holy Spirit to guide people along the path of truth and peace.
The prayer initiative was encouraged by Archbishop Linus Neli of Imphal, who invited Catholics throughout the archdiocese to unite in prayer for healing and lasting peace in Manipur.
The state has witnessed renewed tensions since mid-May following fresh incidents of violence, including the killing of three Baptist pastors and the abduction of hostages. The unrest has disrupted normal life in several areas, resulting in movement restrictions and hardships for many residents.
Against this backdrop, the faithful gathered in prayer, entrusting the people of Manipur to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and seeking God's grace for reconciliation and justice.
Church leaders have repeatedly emphasized the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence among the state’s diverse communities.
The Rosary Prayer Day reflected the Catholic community’s continued commitment to supporting peace-building efforts through prayer and spiritual solidarity. Participants prayed not only for an end to violence but also for the restoration of trust among communities and the healing of those affected by the prolonged conflict.
The gathering concluded with prayers for all victims of violence and for leaders at every level to work toward a just and lasting peace in Manipur.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
