ASIA/INDIA - Bishops condemn attack on Catholic school in Lucknow; sixteen schools closed

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - Another episode of anti-Christian violence has been reported in in India, at Lucknow, in the central northern state of Uttar Pradesh. On 10 September a gang of Hindu nationalist extremists attacked a Catholic school run by Loreto Sisters breaking down the school gates and sacking the whole building including the chapel .
In a statement deploring the episode the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India recall that Catholic schools in India have always “respected the diverse religious traditions and offered education which promotes a spirit of peace and harmony”.
The episode had consequences. On 12 September sixteen Christian schools Lucknow remained closed in protest, and as a gesture of solidarity with the school which had come under attack.
In condemning the attack Uttar Pradesh state authorities were joined by local Hindu and Muslim leaders. With regard to investigations the police suspect members the youth branch of the Baratiya Jaanata Party, nationalist political party which governs several Indian states and has also governed the Federation in the past.
Education in India is a priority if it is to lower the illiteracy rate of 35%, which rises to 55% among the poorest communities. In a population of one billion, only 2.5%, 25 million Indians are Christians and they run 17% of the country’s institutions for education. Christian schools are often praised for the quality of education by leading citizens, including recently mentions by the minister for development and human resources development Muhammad A. Fatmi and chief minister of Jammu-Kashmir state Mufti Mohammad Syeed. Jesuit schools are appreciated for “educating citizens of all sectors of society and all religions” including poor and abandoned children.
Christians in India, aware that education is a right and a means for the full development of the person and of society, are committed to raising the level of literacy promoting also free contribution of private bodies.
At a Conference meeting in February this year in Bangalore focussed on Catholic commitment in the field of education the Catholic Bishops of India said the Church must work to ensure that even the poorest people receive a proper education which develops the ability of every person in view of human, cultural and spiritual formation for the good of society. Education is therefore part of the Church’s mission as she proclaims the good news of the Gospel through service in the fields of healthcare and education. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/9/2006 righe 40 parole 434)