Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – They do not seek special privileges...only equal opportunity and respect for constitutional rights for all Indian citizens. Christians in Orissa are not seeking revenge; they just want to return to normal life, in peace and harmony with everyone, with respect for constitutional rights. This is what Agenzia Fides was told in an interview with Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, SJ, General Secretary of the Indian Bishops' Conference. The Church in India has received counsel and comfort from Benedict XVI's words and repeated appeals being made on behalf of the Christians in India during the Synod of Bishops. However, today they are experiencing a moment of mourning, silence, and prayer for the tragic death of Fr. Bernard Digal, of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, who was violently attacked and wounded on August 25 by Hindu fundamentalists and died on October 28 as a result of the wounds he suffered.
Below is the Archbishop's interview with Agenzia Fides:
How has the Indian Church reacted to the recent appeals made by the Holy Father for Christians in India during the Synod of Bishops?
In the Holy Father's appeal, I sensed his pastoral solicitude for all the Churches and for all peoples suffering from natural or human calamities. At the Synod, surrounded by Patriarchs and Bishops from many Christian communities facing difficulties and humiliations, the Holy Father would surely feel himself united deeply with suffering Christians in so many lands. The presence of so many Patriarchs and Bishops from Iraq and India drew from the Holy Father the expression of deep concern for a human tragedy being enacted in those lands and wherever in our world today. We hope that his call for peace will be heard by all men of good will.
Will civil and religious leaders in India truly begin to act and take all the necessary measures in stopping the violence?
The Prime Minister of India has spoken of the 'national shame'. The Minister of Internal Affairs, in a recent speech given in Parliament, promised a law for fighting community violence. Will consciences be awakened by the wailing of mothers and sisters and the tender cries of hungry babies whose parents have been driven into forests or refugee camps living in inhuman conditions? Those who have been incited to inflict violence on their fellow human neighbors must be converted to establish peace and harmony in those same communities they have wrecked. The hate campaign unleashed on Christians in Orissa cannot be obliterated easily: it requires conversion of the heart. The appeal of the Holy Father is an added moral voice that civil and religious leaders are in no mood to listen to.
What are the urgent needs for religious minorities (Christians and non alike) in the country? What are your hopes?
The urgent need of the Christians of Orissa who have suffered especially during the past ten months is that they return to their villages and homes and fields to renew their lives and livelihood, with all security, respect and harmony among their neighbors. A just and adequate compensation for all that is materially lost is only a beginning. The greater loss of friendships and harmony and trust cannot be measured.
What Christians and minority groups in India want is that their constitutional rights be not only respected and honored but implemented in spirit and in truth - with justice. The unjust discrimination against Christians is yet to be removed. The small minority of Christians have always been in the forefront of nation-building. We will continue to play our patriotic role in serving the nation even to 'the least of the brethren' as enjoined by our Lord Jesus Christ. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2008)
