ASIA/INDIA - Canadian Bishops write a letter asking the Government of Canada to dialogue with the Indian Government, in an effort to end anti-Christian violence

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – The Indian Government in New Delhi has been receiving continual pressures on an international level, asking that they take the necessary measures in placing an end to anti-Christian violence in India. Among the recent requests is that of the Canadian Bishops who have sent a letter to the Canadian Prime Minister, signed by Archbishop V. James Weisgerber, President of the Canadian Bishops' Conference.
The letter asks the Canadian government to take all necessary measures in making the Indian government end the aggressions, recalling the fact that the violence has been openly condemned by members of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian religions, as well as authoritative religious leaders like Pope Benedict XVI.
The Canadian Bishops point out that it is not only a case of brutal violence against a small religious minority, but the rise of an extreme nationalism that goes against the pluralist and democratic tradition of India, all the more worrisome because India is the most populous democracy in the world and, as a Commonwealth country and thus a signatory to the Singapore Declaration, should be committed to “expand human understanding and understanding among nations, assist in the elimination of discrimination based on differences of race, color or creed, maintain and strengthen personal liberty, contribute to the enrichment of life for all, and provide a powerful influence for peace among nations” (Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles).
The Bishops have also asked the Government of Canada to examine whether funding from Canada is going to organizations in India which may be encouraging such violence. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/10/2008)