Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Fides) – While the Catholic Bishops of India meeting in Trichur Kerala to discuss the subject of “Church and Communication” warn of anti-Church propaganda and false information aimed at influencing public opinion, concerning episodes in various parts of the country confirm the concern expressed by Catholic communities and other Christians in India.
The Global Council of Indian Christians has protested against Madan Dilaver, First Minister of Rajasthan a member of the Baratiya Janata Party, who recently threatened to shut down Christian orphanages and social institutions. The Minister openly demanded the closing of Catholic structures including an orphanage which cares for 6.000 children, homes for the homeless and hospitals for lepers. The Minister justified his demand by falsely accusing these church structures of being involved in anti-national activity and more particularly, human organs’ trafficking.
The All India Catholic Union AICU has called on the Prime Minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee to take serious measures to stem growing religious intolerance in various states including Bihar, Assam, Maharashtara. AICU laments that Christians are subject to harassment, physical violence and threats and that intolerance heightens during elections as seen in Madhya Pradesh and Rajastan.
Christians in Orissa state are also concerned. Bishop Lucas Kerketta of Sambalpur told Fides of reports of Christians stoned, church personnel harassed, places of worship desecrated. According to the local Church, very often what are referred to as “incidents” are instead deliberate attacks organised by Hindu extremists groups propagating the Hindutva nationalist ideology (one nation, one culture, one religion).
Concerned, the Bishops are urging Christians elected as members of Parliament to intervene. At a recent meeting with Christian MPs Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi, highlighted the present situation and re-appearance of anti-Christian violence during elections in five of India’s states. At the meeting a proposal was made to set up a National Catholic Education body for more effective co-ordination of the numerous schools, colleges and research centres run by the Church. Many Catholic structures are situated in rural areas to serve the poor, providing free assistance including education.
(PA) (Fides Service 9/1/2004 lines 41 words 425)
