Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ajmer (Fides Service) - After two attacks on Catholic convents in Bihar state on June 9, a third convent was targeted by criminals in the state of Rajasthan on June 12. The convent, the home of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Grace in Bhiwadi, near Ajmer, was attacked during the night of June 12 by three men armed with knives who threatened to kill the nuns. One of the religious, Sr Manjula aged 67, was struck on the head and had to be taken to hospital the following morning. After tying up the nuns in one of the rooms and locking them in, the aggressors sacked and looted the rest of building and made off with the booty. The terrified women religious were found next morning by a boy sent from the near by parish church to see what had happened., Concerned that the nuns had not come for daily Mass, the parish priest sent the boy to the convent. The sisters are still under shock and the local Christian community is outraged. Local police are investigating to find the perpetrators.
The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Grace founded in India in 1965, has 263 Sisters who work with orphans and elderly people, serve at health centres and teach in schools.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/6/2005 righe 18 parole 198)
