India: Church leaders hold ecumenical condolence prayer in New Delhi

In a moving expression of Christian solidarity, church leaders and faithful from various denominations gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral for an Ecumenical Condolence Prayer Service in New Delhi on April 28.

The event was centered on the passage from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, reminding believers to “encourage one another with these words.”

The service began with a solemn hymn rendered by the Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir. Fr. Norbert Herman SVD, the event coordinator, welcomed the assembly and introduced the evening’s program. Rev. Daniel then led the scripture reading, drawing attention to the hope and comfort found in the Christian promise of eternal life.

The keynote message was delivered by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio and Ambassador of the Vatican to India.

In his address, he offered words of deep comfort and reflected on the power of faith and unity in times of sorrow, urging all present to remain rooted in the Gospel’s message of peace.

This was followed by the prayer of the faithful, led by Fr. Vinayanand, Vicar General of the Malankara Church.

Short condolence messages were shared by several prominent church leaders, each offering their reflections and prayers in a spirit of shared mourning and unity. Their words resonated deeply with the congregation, offering a profound sense of collective strength.

Archbishop Anil JT Couto of Delhi concluded the evening by emphasizing the significance of standing together across traditions in moments of grief. As the Sacred Heart Choir sang gently in the background, guests came forward to lay floral tributes, paying their respects in silence and prayer.

The Ecumenical Condolence Prayer Service served as a poignant reminder of the strength of Christian fellowship and the healing power of shared faith. The presence of diverse church leaders and the unifying message of the evening left a lasting impression on all who attended. - Norbert Herman