ASIA/INDIA - Attack of vandalism on a Marian Shrine

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - The Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Health, in Guntkal within the Diocese of Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, was attacked by vandals who have destroyed sacred statues and paintings. The Bishops' Conference of India expressed to Fides, “pained concern for the violence and damages to facilities, places and Christian people, which still occur frequently in India.”
The statues of the Mother of God, St John and Mary Magdalene were disfigured and beheaded. The parish priest, Fr Rachumala Prakash Reddy, reported that on 12 December the faithful who were gathered in church for Sunday Mass have ascertained the damage done by the unknown vandals. Bishop Anthony Poola of Kurnool, deploring the incident and comforting the parish priest, has asked the local Christian community - which was planning a public demonstration of protest - not to react and to keep calm so as to avoid the risk of triggering a spiral of violent reactions by provokers who seek interreligious confrontation.
The Bishop has instead announced that the community will gather in prayer and celebrate Holy Mass, praying for peace and in reparation for the acts of desecration.
According to local Christians, the attack can be attributed to members of Hindu extremist groups which do not look favourably on the work of Christians in the area, something common also to many other Indian states.
The Church in India has, however, reiterated to Fides that “despite the violent episodes and suffering, Christians will continue to pray and work for peace and harmony in the Country.”
The Church of Our Lady of Health was elevated to the rank of Sanctuary in 1999. It is a place of pilgrimage and is visited every year by thousands of people, some Catholics and some not. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/12/2010)