ASIA/INDIA - Prayer and unity of Catholics in response to the anti-Christian attacks

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church in India plans on responding to the growing violence in recent months that has effected people, places, and institutions throughout the country, with: a greater coordination in Church activities, on a social and civil level, constant prayer and non-violence, ecumenical unity among Christians of different creeds, and dialogue and support for other religious communities.
Recalling the recent attacks on Catholic communities, in the state of Orissa, the Indian Bishops, in their last Plenary Assembly, have discussed what measures the faithful should take in response to the hate propaganda being used by some extremist minority groups, which often takes the form of abuse and violence towards Christians.
All the Bishops have expressed their solidarity with the victims of the violence and have promised to provide legal assistance and to reconstruct the churches and houses destroyed in Orissa. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, who after over a month of violence in the area has been able to make a visit to the site of the destruction (in prior weeks, he had been forbidden by authorities), described the situation as “diabolical,” as eyewitnesses narrated their experience of three days of complete devastation from extremists who acted with free reign and impunity, with no one to stop them.
The Bishops have issued a warning, asking that the violence in Orissa, as well as in other states of the country, be stopped. The extremists, in fact, try to justify their violent actions, claiming a supposed threat to Hinduism from the Muslims and Christians, the effects of which have resulted in massive upheaval.
Bishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar (the diocese effected in Orissa), has asked that the Church unite to respond in a unison and concrete manner, in protesting with civil authorities, on all levels, for the ongoing abuse and violation of rights committed against Christian citizens.
The Bishops’ Conference is drawing up a plan for action, with greater awareness among the faithful and the non-Christian Indian population, greater presence in the mass media, the publication of an official document to be presented to authorities, and a greater coordination with other Christian churches and non-governmental organizations, on both international and local levels. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2008; righe 30, parole 361)