Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cochi (Fides Service) - Catholics in the southern Indian state of Kerala are deeply shocked after the residence of the Bishop of Neyyatinkara diocese was attacked by four gunmen as yet unidentified. During the night last Sunday 16 October four men broke into Neyyatinkara Diocesan Centre, residence of the Bishop Vincent Samuel, shooting the watchman, setting fire to three vehicles and damaging part of the building.
The men climbed over the compound wall, shot the watchman on guard, fortunately only injuring him, and penetrated into the house sacking and looting. At the sound of a police motorbike arriving on the scene, the men fled.
The Bishop has called on the police to find and punish those responsible and those behind the crime mandates.
Some observers say the intention may have been to intimidate Fr. Joseph Mathias who lives in the residence with the Bishop. In 2003 the priest was an eyewitness to a murder.
However there is general alarm, said local Church sources, because people fear the attacks are part of a precise plan of aggression on Christians”.
The local civil authorities say these frequent attacks on Christians aim to cause tension and that they could be the work of the radical Hindu groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS.
Last year in Kerala a Catholic priest Fr. Job Chittilappill was murdered and four Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta were attacked. Kerala is the state with the highest number of Christians 20% of a population of 31 million. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2005 righe 26 parole 271)
