Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hyderabad (Agenzia Fides) – The Church in India has organized a non-violent public demonstration, with silence and prayer, to say “no” to all forms of violence and highlight its desire to have a say in Indian society and contribute to the good of the nation. The demonstration will be held on October 19, World Mission Sunday and will be attended by groups of other Christian denominations, as well as other religious communities such as Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims, who will process through the streets of Hyderabad, the capital of the state of Andra Pradesh (southern India), to protest the recent anti-Christian attacks and express solidarity with all the victims of attacks in recent weeks, especially those in the states of Orissa, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Civil society groups and organizations have also joined in defense of human rights.
Right now, the Church in India is moving in two directions: in support of moderate Hindu leaders that say that violence is a betrayal of the Hindu religion and in asking the central government to approve policies that would prevent the attacks, such as the Act of Prevention of Atrocities on Minorities, which includes special means to ending the agression against religious and cultural minority groups.
Among the petitions being made by demonstrators are: the establishment of a restitution fund for victims' families and for rebuilding churches and religious buildings; a declaration clarifying the fact that those groups responsible for the hate and violence in India are illegal and terrorists; the arrest and legal prosecution of those responsible for the killing and plundering; establish an investigatory commission for clarifying the root and reasons behind the attacks; establish a telephone line for immediate response in police headquarters, for use in future attacks.
Among those who will be recalled in the October 19th demonstration are Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Sister Alphonsa, the first Indian saint, canonized last Sunday by the Holy Father. They will be presented as models for the Christian community in India: the former, for her great love for the Indian people, especially the poor and marginalized, and the latter, for her capacity to suffer in silence and carry the Cross of pain and injustice without rebelling. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/10/2008)
