ASIA/INDIA - Catholic community grows: three new churches opened in Mangalore diocese

Mangalore (Fides Service) - Despite fear of attacks by Hindu extremists on Christians and Christian institutions, the Catholic community in the southern Indian state of Karnataka is growing: the opening of three new churches in a week the number of parishes in the diocese of Mangalore, brought the total number of Catholic places of worship to 150, to the satisfaction of the people and the joy of their Bishop, Bishop Aloysius D’Souza.
The first of the three new churches was the Mother of God parish church in the town of Puttur was consecrated by the Bishop on 9 November. Puttur has had a Christian community for 250 years and its churches are the oldest in the diocese. The new church, necessary to meet the needs of a growing community, can seat more than 1,000 people.
The second new church, St Martin of Porres in the village of Beluvai a very poor district, was consecrated on 7 December. The third new church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception was consecrated on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary 8 December. It is in Kinnigoly and will serve a community of about 2,500 Catholics.
These three new churches have been opened in a country where Christians are under attack from extremists groups: recently fundamentalists destroyed St Francis of Assisi church in Mathal, Tamil Nadu. The Catholic Bishops have called on the government to provide more protection and concrete interventions. Through Sonia Gandhi, its leader, the ruling Congress Party said a new law to address the problem of anti-religious violence in India will soon be presented to parliament.
(PA) (Agenzi Fides 17/12/2004 righe 25 parole 274)