Man forgives Kathmandu cathedral bomber who killed wife and daughter
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Sita Thapa Shrestha

Kathmandu, Nepal, Jun 16, 2009 / 03:26 am (CNA).- Inspired by St. Paul’s conversion, a man whose wife and daughter were killed last month in a bomb attack at the Catholic cathedral in Kathmandu has forgiven the woman suspected to have carried out the attack. He met with the accused female bomber in a police station near the site of the attack.

Balan Joseph Palamootil, a Catholic layman of Indian background, was himself wounded in the May 23 bombing of Assumption Cathedral in the Nepalese capital.

According to Fides news agency, Balan forgave “in Jesus’ name” one Sita Thapa Shrestha, who is in police custody in connection with the attack.

“When I saw Sita, I was reminded of the story of Saint Paul, who persecuted Christians and I thought of how Sita might also have this same experience of conversion. So, I conveyed Christ's message of love and forgiveness to her,” said Balan.

Balan, a native of the Indian state of Kerala, gave his testimony during a public celebration recently held in the cathedral. There, many Catholic faithful and those of other Christian denominations had gathered to pray for the victims and for peace in Nepal.

He declared his decision to remain in Nepal to work for peace and reconciliation, Fides reports. Balan, who came to Nepal as a migrant 20 years ago, also said he will dedicate his life to his other two children, taking care of his family and all those he will meet.

He added that he will offer his testimony of a Christian life by following Christ as a layman.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Raymond Peringer
Toronto, Canada 06/16/2009 02:21 PM EST
Most religions preach love your neighbour.

In reply to the question who is my neighbour, Jesus gave us the revolutionary story of the Good Samaritan. Revolutionary because it expanded tribal concern to the whole world. We are all neighbours.

Jesus then went beyond that by telling us to love our enemies.

Balan Joseph Palamootil lives the words of Jesus.
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Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 06/16/2009 10:50 AM EST
WHAT AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN!!! I can only imagine how much Mr. Balan Joseph Palamootil has sufferred yet he forgives his enemy so quickly. May God bless the souls of Mr. Palamootil's wife and daughter in heaven. May God bless him and may God love him more than all of us.
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Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass. USA 06/16/2009 08:09 AM EST
"Forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us." Simple words to the Lord's Prayer yet so very hard to obey! If everyone learned to forgive as they would wish to be forgiven,how great a love that would be? Some of the greatest of the stories about human interactions,are the ones about forgiveness. Forgiving in "Jesus name" is a complete act of love. Balan is right we must all learn to forgive in the name of "Jesus"!
Holding on to hatred is spiritual cancer.
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