Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bhopal (Agenzia Fides) - At least 60 of the "Indian martyrs" in the last century can be commemorated and their faith can be remembered. But there are many others, if you scroll through the history of Christianity in India, which dates from the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle in the Indian subcontinent, and passes through the presence of a holy missionary like Saint Francis Xavier. For this reason, the Indian Church experienced yesterday, August 28, "Indian martyrs Day", launched at an Ecumenical level by the Churches in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and celebrated with prayer vigils, as well as through the symbolic gesture of donating blood.
"There are many faithful Indians who sacrificed their lives for their faith in Christ", Fr. Anand Muttungal told Fides, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Council in Madhya Pradesh. Just remember, some of the most recent cases, in different states of the Indian Federation, the priests Fr. Antony from Jharkand (1964), Fr. Herman and Fr. TA Thomas from Bihar, Sister Rani Mariya from Madhya Pradesh, Dr.. Graham Stains in Orissa, Fr. Aruldoss from Orissa, Pastor Botlaratnam from Andhra Pradesh, Satira Toppo (a layman) in Chattisgarh, and many others who "died for Christ." Therefore "it is necessary that the Church in India honors their sacrifice and remembers them on Indian Martyrs Day".
A public manifestation of the faithful, who lived in silence and prayer, was held yesterday in Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh, and was attended by priests, religious, lay Christians of all denominations, in the Church of Seva Sadan. Meanwhile, hundreds of faithful attended the blood donation camp set up at the Red Cross Hospital in Bhopal. But initiatives to donate blood were held in other cities in the state.
Among the organizing movements of two events, there was the Ecumenical Forum "Isai Mahasangh". The Secretary general of the Forum, Manis Mathew, told Fides: "The Church is built on the blood of the martyrs. Christian communities gathered to celebrate the Day with great attention. In particular, they prayed for the believers in Orissa, because these days mark the third anniversary of the anti-Christian massacres in the state" and for all Christians affected by violence that still occurs in different states of the Indian Union. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/08/2011)
