Jesuit On Radical Hindu Destruction of Catholic Church Property In India

CBCI seeks President’s intervention on Orissa
NEW DELHI (ICNS): A Catholic Bishops' Conference of India delegation called on President Pratibha Patil Friday and sought her intervention on the situation in Orissa’s riot-hit Kandhamal district. In a memorandum to the President, the CBCI, the apex body of the Catholic Church in India sought her “intervention in Orissa to protect the fundamental rights of Christians to practice their faith without fear. The Christians in Orissa have suffered a lot in the past at the hands of fundamentalists.”

“Again violence broke out in Kadhamal District of Orissa against Christians during the past Christmas which is the most sacred day for all Christians. The wanton destruction of houses, desecration of Churches and educational institutions went on unhindered for four days.”

“The Church leaders have made several representations to the Prime Minster, Union Minister for Home Affairs, Chief Minister of Orissa regarding the tense situation in Orissa. They were given assurance that situation would return to normal. But sad to note that the situation in Kandhamal District of Orissa continues to be grave due to sporadic instances of violence and unfriendly attitude of some of the officials.” “We the Church leaders are approaching Your Hon'ble Self with an earnest request to urgently intervene in this precarious situation.” “The Church in Orissa has been existing for more than 200 years and all this while it has lived harmoniously with all. But the recent instances of violence of such a magnitude in Kandhamal District has not only shaken us, but inflicted unprecedented misery and destruction of property worth million of rupees.”

INSTITUTIONS SO FAR ATTACKED AND DESTROYED
1. Large Parish Church 8
2. Village Churches 50 (So far known to us)
3. Convents 5
4. Presbytery 5
5. Hostels 4
6. Training Cetres (Balliguda and Barakhama) 2
7. Vocational Training Centre (Balliguda) 1
8. Dispensary 2
9. Vehicles destroyed/burnt: Jeep 1 Ambulance 2 Motor Cycles 7 New School Bus 1 Bicycles 27
10. Cash looted/Burnt: Rs. 9, 78,500/-

The memorandum was submitted by the following:
Archbishop of Gandhinagar Most Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes, S.J.,
Most Rev. Raphael Cheenath, SVD Secretary General,
CBCI & Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar,
Archbishop Vincent Concessao,
Archbishop of Delhi, Bishop of Behrampur Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak,
Francis George Member of Parliament,
Rev. Fr. Thomas D'Aquino Sequeira Dy. Secretary General, CBCI ,
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, S.V.D. Spokesperson, CBCI. ,

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