ASIA/INDIA - Prayer and adoration after the profanation of the Blessed Sacrament in Bangalore

Wednesday, 22 January 2020 human rights   religious freedom   extremism   violence   religious minorities   persecutions  

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - On 24 January the entire diocesan community of Bangalore "is called to do penance and reparation in churches and religious houses for this sacrilegious and ignominious deed", says Archbishop Peter Machado, at the head of the Catholic community of Bangalore, after the theft and desecration of the Blessed Sacrament in a parish of the archdiocese of Bangalore. As Fides learns, the theft took place in St Francis Assisi Catholic Church, in the suburb of Kengeri, on the night of January 20. Capuchin Father Sathish Kumar, parish priest of the church of St Francis Assisi, has filed a complaint with the local police and investigations are underway. "I am not only terribly shocked but also greatly grieved that desecration was done to the Eucharistic Lord in that church. This sacrilege and serious dishonour done to Our Blessed Lord and Saviour is a matter of great concern, not only to the parishioners of St Francis Assisi Parish but also to the religious feelings of everyone in the Archdiocese", wrote the Archbishop in a note sent to Fides.
In the first 19 days of January, 17 incidents of violence against Christians in India were reported, says the "United Christian Forum" (UCF), based on complaints made via the helpline activated by the organization, which documents cases of violence against churches and Christians in India.
"A Pastor has been arrested. There was physical assault, while some religious activities have been stopped by the authority", UCF leader Michael told Fides.
John Dayal, a Catholic journalist and human rights activist told Fides: "Violence occurs while the nation sees religious minorities discriminated against by legislative provisions such as the Citizenship Emendament Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). There is a state of impunity and a campaign of hatred that accompanies and aggravates these phenomena". (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 22/1/2019)


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