Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Father Jose Narlaly, OSST, Indian, has served one year as Minister General of the Trinitarians, an order that since the 8th century has been working to help Christians who are persecuted for the faith. In India, the Trinitarians have been working since 2004 and now have two houses with 12 religious, 23 students, and 2 novices. “The last General Chapter saw it best to elect me, as an Indian, after the Order began to focus more attention on this country.”
The Christian population in India is at nearly 18 million (less than 2% of the population), a minority that, especially in recent times has been subject to violence and aggressions. Since August 24, 2008, mainly in the rural villages of the State of Orissa, 61 homicides have been reported, 18,000 wounded, and another 55,000 refugees, over 4,000 Christian homes have been set on fire. Father Narlaly says that “in past centuries, there was always a great religious tolerance in India. Christians are an integral part of the religious history of India. In Kerala, the Christian community dates back to the apostolic era, in the 1st century. The situation has only become like this in recent years, especially following the independence in 1947. For 30 years, the political party of the Hindu extremists (BJP) has tried to claim the religious identity of the country, taking an aggressive stance in regards to the Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim minorities. The party is a minority on a national level, however it is very strong in several states like Orissa, where violence has broken out in recent months.”
“Christians are well integrated into India's society,” Fr. Narlaly said. “They promote service projects, sanitary assistance, and educational programs, and this has been viewed as a threat by the extremists. Education, especially, is a way to inform and open the doors to a mass of people who today live marginalized from society, giving them back their dignity and rights. The problem, therefore, is of a political-social nature. Christianity is a manner of change and human promotion that does not interest the extremists.” The Trinitarians are about to open a reception center for persecuted Christians of Bhutan, on the border with Nepal, and will be intensifying their educational apostolate. “In spite of all the difficulties, as Trinitarians we look to the future with hope and we believe that with the growth in education, relations will improve and there will be a greater awareness of minority rights,” Fr. Narlaly said. Agenzia Fides will soon be publishing a Dossier on the work of the Trinitarians in the world. (AM) (Agenzia Fides 9/12/2008)
