Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – Christians stage protests demanding police protection for churches. Following a mysterious fire which destroyed St Sebastian Catholic church in east Delhi on December 1, the city’s criminal police has set to work a special investigation team. Christians, more than 5,000 of all denominations, Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists and Evangelicals are calling for justice. Local Catholic church authorities have also acted: Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Interior Minister, Rajnath Singh, asking for transparency and investigations which brings results.
To calm the fear of Christians, police guards have been stationed in front of all the main churches in Delhi . Since the fire, churches are discussing whether to engage private security staff.
To respond to this surge of intolerance, Franciscans in India have planned a nationwide day to promote religious freedom and interreligious harmony. The day will be marked by 52 Franciscan communities present in 65 province, with 50,000 Franciscan men and women religious all over India.
Friar A.J. Mathew OFM Capp, president of the Franciscan family in India, tells Fides: “We are seeing an increase in anti-Christian violence in India. This is serious violation of rights sanctioned by the country’s Constitution. Destruction of religious buildings and violence against Christians must be condemned by every citizen”.
Besides the recent torching of the church Delhi, other episodes include two attacks on churches in Madhya Pradesh, persecution in 50 villages in the district of Bastar, in Chhattisgarh, violence against Christian families in Orissa. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/12/2014)
