The Sikh Federation (UK), which has over 150 affiliated member organisations throughout the UK and the National Council of Gurdwaras, which represents 235 Gurdwaras in the UK have faxed Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's deputy in the Vatican saying the prayers of the entire Sikh community are with the Pope and the one billion Roman Catholics. The faxed letter from Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) and Bhai Daljit Singh Shergill, a national co-ordinator of the National Council of Gurdwaras said: "We are deeply saddened to learn Pope John Paul II has received the last rites, our thoughts and prayers are with the Pope and Roman Catholics throughout the world". The letter continues by saying: "The Pope is a brave man who has been fighting Parkinson's Disease for nearly a decade. Many will be saddened that the end of one of the longest papal reigns is fast approaching. The Pope has lived a very full life and learnt much from the experience of the Nazi occupation in World War II. Over the last 20 years or so the Pope has been supportive of the Sikh community for which we are eternally grateful." "In June 1984, referring to the Indian army assault on the Golden Temple Complex, the Pope expressed his great sadness on the attack on a place of worship and the tragic death of so many innocent pilgrims. Later the same year he expressed his 'universal horror and dismay' with the anti-Sikh pogroms in November 1984. More recently the Pope has been very supportive of the inalienable right of Sikhs in France to practice and propagate their faith and said no government should interfere with the inner core of any religion."

Back To Media Library