IMPHAL, Manipur (Indian Catholic News) — The archbishop of Imphal in the strife-wracked state of Manipur is calling on Catholics to stand firm in a unity rooted in the Gospel, rejecting divisions based on ethnicity, tribe, social affiliation and language, and resisting every temptation for revenge.
In a pastoral letter dated May 30 and addressed to the Catholic Archdiocese of Imphal, Archbishop Linus Neli urged clergy, religious and lay faithful to become agents of reconciliation and peace amid continuing tensions that have scarred the northeastern Indian state.
“In these last few years, we have been standing at a crossroads, not merely of ethnic tension and undesirable events, but of values and ideologies that threaten our very existence and ultimate destiny,” Archbishop Neli wrote.
The archbishop said the choices made today would shape the future handed to the next generation, warning that violence and hatred leave wounds that take generations to heal. “No cause, no grievance, no ideology can ever justify the loss of human life or the erosion of our shared humanity,” he said.
Archbishop Neli said the Church could not remain indifferent while society remained fractured and called Catholics to become “a visible sign and instrument of communion, reconciliation, and hope.”
Call for unity beyond ethnic divisions
The archbishop’s appeal comes as Manipur continues to grapple with the consequences of ethnic violence that erupted in 2023 and displaced thousands of people, deepening divisions among communities.
“At this critical juncture, I write to exhort each one of you – clergy, religious, and lay faithful – to stand firm in unity, rooted in the Gospel of Christ, who is our peace,” he wrote.
In the first of six points outlined in the letter, Archbishop Neli called for Catholics to rise above social and ethnic differences. “Let there be no division among us based on tribe, ethnicity, language, or social affiliation,” he wrote.
“Our identity in Christ transcends all human boundaries. As members of one Body in Christ, we must resist every temptation to align ourselves with forces or revenge,” he added.
Archbishop Neli urged parishes, village units, convents and institutions to become “centers of unity and fraternity.”
He also appealed for a rejection of hatred and violence, saying Christians must embrace the Gospel’s higher path even when anger and retaliation appear justified. “I urge all to reject hatred and violence in every form – whether in word, action, or silence that condones injustice,” he wrote.
Promoting healing and reconciliation
Archbishop Neli devoted significant attention to the need for healing among communities affected by conflict. “Many among us are wounded – physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually,” he wrote.
He said clergy and religious were “especially called to be instruments of healing through pastoral care, prayer, and presence.”
The archbishop encouraged parishes to organise “moments of prayer, Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion and intercessions for peace and healing.”
Addressing the wider social situation, Neli called on Catholics to exercise moral courage and responsible citizenship while remaining nonpartisan. “We are not indifferent to the common good,” he wrote.
The archbishop urged Catholics to “act responsibly, uphold justice, and support efforts that restore order, protect human dignity, and promote the welfare of all.”
He also warned against the spread of misinformation and divisive rhetoric online. “Avoid untruthful and uncharitable gossips in social media that might fuel hatred, antagonism, animosity, and social fragmentation,” he wrote.
Prayer, humanitarian aid and hope
Archbishop Neli highlighted the importance of humanitarian assistance for people impacted by instability and conflict. “When conflict and instability disrupt lives, priority must be given to basic humanitarian needs such as food, clean water, shelter, and medical care,” he wrote.
He said special attention should be given to “the most vulnerable” and called for cooperation among civil authorities, faith communities and humanitarian agencies.
Beyond material assistance, the archbishop said there remained a pressing need for psychological support, protection of human dignity and restoration of hope.
He encouraged Catholics to deepen their personal and communal prayer. “In times of darkness, our strength lies in prayer of faith,” he wrote.
The archbishop expressed hope that unity in Christ could become a force for healing and transformation in Manipur. “If we remain united in Christ, we can become a powerful force for healing and transformation.”
Archbishop Neli ended his letter with a passage from Ephesians, reminding Catholics that Christ “has broken down the dividing wall” of hostility and calling them to walk together in hope during the state’s continuing challenges.
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