New
Delhi, December 31, 2007
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, (CBCI), the
apex body of the Catholic Church in India is dismayed at the
delay in providing protections to the Christians in Orissa.
There have been continuous onslaughts on Christians by the fundamentalists
in the State since Christmas and yet adequate protection have
not been provided to the minority community which continues
to live in fear and anxiety.
From
22nd Dec to 27th December the following buildings and institutions
were destroyed by the Fundamentalist groups.
2.
INSTITUTIONS SO FAR ATTACKED AND DESTROYED
1.
Large Parish Church (5)
2.
Village Churches (50) (So Far Known To Us)
3.
Convents (6)
4.
Presbytery (3)
5.
Hostels (6)
6.
Minor Seminary (Balliguda and Barakhama) (2)
7.
Vocational Training Centre (Balliguda) (1)
8.
Srasananda, leprosy centre (Pobingia) (1)
A
good number of village churches are also destroyed of which
there is no definite information. In Barakhama, 400 houses are
gutted, five people murdered, property looted, one tractor burnt.
The formation house of Capuchin congregation was totally vandalized.
Because
of the highly sensitive situation the Catholic Church in Orissa
is not able to go and assess the needs of victims of violence.
There are road blocks, (felling trees on the road), danger of
being attacked, etc. It may take some time. But from the information
communicated to the Catholic Church by the missionaries from
the place of attacks and atrocities it is roughly estimated
a loss of about 2.5 million rupees.
Many
years’ of hard work and the infra-structure for rendering
service to the poor and the marginalized has been totally destroyed
in five days. What is left now is fear and anxiety.
The
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India calls for:
1.
An immediate unbiased enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigations
2.
Adequate and immediate deployment of Central paramilitary Forces
3.
Immediate compensation to the inured and the survivors of the
dead as paid top victims
of similar violence in other states.
Unless
immediate and urgent action is taken, CBCI fears that the situation
in Orissa will deteriorate and will lead to much suffering for
our people, as also for the common men, women and children of
the tribal areas, the poorest of the poor.
The
Kui Janakalyan Samiti had declared bandh on 25th and 26th December
2007 in order to press for their demands. But Christians feel
that it was only ploy used against Christians in order to:
a)
Disturb their Christmas celebration, the important feast of
Christians; it is even a National holiday.
b)
Instead of conducting bandh they have unleashed a reign of terror,
destroying institutions, intimidating Christians and forcing
them to go out of their homes.
c)
Their entire attention is on driving away Christians from the
region.
In
addition, offices such as those of World Vision have also been
destroyed.
While
the Christian leadership has been appealing for peace and harmony,
aggressive religious fundamentalist elements and organisations
have a field day in intimidating and attacking the Christian
community.
We
appeal to the Central and State governments to ensure that there
is ample police protection given to the Christian community,
its personnel, and insitutions in the state.
+
Archbishop Raphael Cheenath SVD
,Archbishop 0f Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
CBCI
Calls For A Week Of Prayer For Peace And Harmony In Orissa
New
Delhi, December 27, 2007
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the
apex body of the Catholic Church in India has called for ‘A
Week of Prayer’ from December 30 to January 5, 2008 for
peace and harmony in Orissa.
In
a circular to the Church hierarchy in India, Cardinal Telesphore
Toppo, President of CBCI has urged the Church leaders to observe
a week of Prayer as a mark of solidarity with the victims of
hate campaign and violence in Orissa. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo
said, that a week of prayer in all Churches across the country
would give courage to the Christians of Orissa to face the challenges
posed to them with a strong faith in Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ.
Cardinal
Toppo said that the vicious attacks on Christians in Orissa
continue inspite of the police deployment in some disturbed
areas. He said that the heinous crimes on the day of nativity
of Lord Jesus seem to be well planned and executed by misguided
people and anti-social elements.
Cardinal
Toppo has also expressed his serious concern at the Christians
living in forests due to fear of more attacks in Orissa. The
miscreants have forced the Christians to leave their villages
and take refuge in the forest. It is reported that approximately
2000 Christians including religious sisters and priests are
hiding in forests without proper food and sanitation.
During
the week of prayer, all the Churches in India will pray for
people affected by violence in Orissa and offer special prayers
for the change of heart of the perpetrators of violence and
hatred so that God may give them understanding and wisdom to
follow the path of love and fellowship.
Issued
by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Catholic
Bishops Express Shock And Anguish At The Series Of Attacks On
Christians In Orissa
New
Delhi, December 26, 2007
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the
apex body of the Catholic Church is shocked to know that there
have been at least 20 or more attacks on Christians and their
institutions in Balliguda, Bingia, Baminigam, Phulbani and Bamunigam
of Orissa on December 24 and 25.
It
was reported that ‘Kui Janakalyan Samiti’ had declared
a bandh on 25th and 26th December. When some members of Kui
Janakalyan Samiti interfered with the Christmas celebrations
on December 24 and destroyed the Christmas decoctions of Ambedkar
Baniko Sangho, the situation turned tense. The members of the
Kui Jankalyan Samith then took law in their hands and allegedly
attacked the Christians with sticks, knives and other lethal
weapons. They also destroyed 18 Churches and village Chapels
and nearly 15 shops belonging to Christians, 4 convents of the
religious women, 8 hostels for children and 2 vocational training
centers.
A
series of well planned attacks on innocent Christians and their
leaders have completely shocked us and we are deeply pained
at a time when we are celebrating peace and harmony of Christmas.
These attacks on Christians on the day of Christmas seem to
suggest a planned effort to disturb communal peace by some misguided
and anti-social elements.
What
is more worrying and disheartening to note is the manner in
which the unruly mob went on rampaging in villages where Christians
were preparing to celebrate Christmas with a near total impunity.
It
is our earnest appeal to the Central and the State Governments
to urgently intervene in this matter so that the lawless elements
are brought to book at the earliest. It is most important that
the tiny minority Christian community of Orissa feels safe and
secure to carry on with their normal life and activities.
Issued
by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
CBCI
Welcomes The Suggestion Of The National Commission For Scheduled
Castes To Include Dalit Christians And Muslims In The Reservation
Quota
New
Delhi, October 16, 2007
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) hails
the recommendation made by the National Commission for Scheduled
Castes to include Christians and Muslims of Scheduled Castes
origin in the reserved category of Scheduled Castes. The apex
body of the Catholic Church in India has been supporting this
legitimate demand for a long time.
The opinion given by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
to include Christian and Muslims of Scheduled Castes origin
is truly wise and praiseworthy.
The Bishops’ Conference strongly believes that it is only
just and fair that Christians and Muslims of Scheduled castes
origin should get the legal protection and other educational
and employment benefits given to their counterparts in other
religions. The CBCI has stated over and over again that just
by changing their faith, their status, social and economic backwardness
and the burden of being downtrodden for centuries does not alter
overnight. Since our Dalit Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs are already
included in the list of Scheduled Castes, it is in the fitness
of things that the situation of Muslim and Christian Dalits
be also recognized and they be granted their just demand.
We
earnestly hope that the rightful and timely recommendation of
the National Commission for Scheduled Castes will hasten the
process of granting the Scheduled Caste Status to Christians
and Muslims of Scheduled Castes Origin.
Issued
by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
CBCI
Deplores The Bomb Blast In Ajmer,
Appeals For Peace And Social Amity
New
Delhi, October 12, 2007
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body
of the Catholic Church in India, strongly condemns the bomb
blast inside the famous ancient shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja
Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer, which occurred on October 11 during
an evening prayer service.
The
Church in India is saddened to note that the blast has taken
place soon after Iftar, the sacred time when our Muslim brothers
and sisters were breaking the fast observed during the month
of Ramzan.
We
express our deep solidarity with the victims of the bomb blast
and offer our condolences to the bereaved families of those
killed as well as wish speedy recovery to those injured in the
blast.
This
act of terror is aimed at disturbing the social amity, which
has been the hallmark of Ajmer, the pilgrim city. We appeal
to the people of the city and of the country at large to maintain
calm and peace at this tragic hour of crisis.
We
uphold the dignity of human life and the right of all humans
to a peaceful co-existence. We also pray for those involved
in causing the bomb blast that they may gain wisdom to understand
the true meaning of human life and change their path of violence
in order to forge bonds of harmonious living.
We
have witnessed in the recent past acts of terror at the holy
places that disrupt seriously the communal harmony. We sincerely
appeal to the Government to safeguard places of worship throughout
the country and refrain anti-social elements from disturbing
the rhythm of social life.
Issued by:
Rev. Fr. Thomas d'Aquino Sequeira
Dy. Secretary General, CBCI
CBCI
President Felicitates New President Of India
New
Delhi, July 25, 2007
The President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
(CBCI), Cardinal Telesphore Toppo has sent a letter of felicitation
to the new President of India on her election as the First Lady
President of India.
Cardinal Telesphore Toppo in his letter to Shrimati Pratibha
Patil, Hon’ble elect- President of India said that he
was personally much impressed with Her Excellency’s interview
on Doordarshan on July 22 where she had rightly pointed out
that the country’s secular credentials must be strengthened
besides fostering gender equality and brotherhood among its
people irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Cardinal Telesphore Toppo said, “The Christian community
in India strongly believes that if our country lives up to its
true secular credentials then there will be peace and harmony
among people of different religious communities which will pave
the way for a strong India. As a tiny community of our beloved
Mother Land, we have always worked towards fostering gender
equality through our various social development programmes and
educational institutions. Your Excellency’s election as
the Head of the State and the assurance of strengthening secular
character of our country gives us new courage to continue to
work selflessly for the nation building.”
Cardinal Toppo has assured Her Excellency of wholehearted support
and cooperation of Christian community in carrying out her responsibilities
for the good of our beloved country and its people. Invoking
God’s blessing on Her Excellency, Cardinal said, “May
God grant you wisdom, strength, courage and all graces so that
you will be enabled to guide our nation to peace and prosperity
upholding the democratic traditions of our country in the years
to come.”
Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
All
India Catholic Education Policy Ensures Holistic Education For
All Particularly For The Marginalized.
New
Delhi, May 31, 2007
His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, President of Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) released the All India
Catholic Education Policy 2007 on May 31, 2007 at the C.B.C.I
Centre, in New Delhi. The document approved by the CBCI Standing
Committee on April 26, 2007 was prepared by the CBCI Commission
for Education and Culture in collaboration with the Commission
for Justice, Peace and Development and the Commission for SC/ST/and
Backward Classes.
Cardinal
Toppo at the release of the document said that the All India
Catholic Education Policy 2007 will open a new chapter in the
history of Catholic Education in India as it would work towards
ensuring education of all Catholics and the marginalized. Cardinal
said, the Catholic Education Policy is of the whole Church in
India and as such the entire Catholic Community in India is
involved in its implementation.
The
Catholic Education Policy seeks to clarify and stress the essential
mission of Catholic Education in India. A key focus area in
the policy is on the need for Catholic institutions to contribute
actively to the betterment of India and its people by bringing
the light of knowledge to as many people as possible. The policy
also suggests developing micro models of communities of solidarity
across the many borders that presently divide the country like
caste, creed and culture that make the country less cohesive
The
policy exhorts the Catholic community to participate in the
second ‘freedom struggle’ for emancipation from
illiteracy, poverty and divisiveness and make a substantial
contribution to fashion a new seamless Indian society as envisioned
by the Constitution of India.
Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
Attack
On Christian Community Cause Serious Concern
New
Delhi, May 14, 2007
The unprovoked attacks on Pastor Walter Massey in Jaipur and
on two pastors in Ichalkaranji in Maharastra are clear signs
of some organisations’ impudence towards the rights of
citizens enshrined in the Constitution of India.
It
is this kind of uncalled for and heinous acts of violence that
are responsible for the increase in the number of attacks on
various Christian institutions and personnel throughout the
country over the last few years. It is no surprise, since the
culprits mostly go scot-free, that the number of attacks have
gone over two hundred in just one year. A few incidents of attacks
on Christians are brought to the attention of people thought
the media but a large number of them go unreported; and even
the police in some case fail to discharge their duties by not
registering FIR.
These
attacks are being carried out at the pretext of opposing ‘conversion
by force or fraud’. There is nothing farther for truth.
The fact of the matter is that Christianity has been here for
two thousand years and yet it has just 2.32% of the nation’s
total population. This certainly goes to show that the proponents
of anti-Christian movements are riding on the fictitious claims
of large conversion.
Time
and again the Christian community has made its stand on conversion
clear. It has categorically stated that it neither accepts nor
endorses any fraudulent means of conversion; and if anyone indulges
in them, it is totally unacceptable. At the same time we would
want to underline the fact that freedom of conscience is to
be protected as the Constitution of India gives its citizens
the right to preach and practice the religion of his/her choice.
This right is to be respected by all means.
Issued
by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI
CBCI
Expresses Serious Concern Over Samjhauta Train Tragedy
New
Delhi, February 19, 2007
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) expresses
its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims
of the bomb blast and the ensuing fire on the Samjhauta Express
that was proceeding towards Athari, the last railway station
in Punjab at the border with Pakistan. In deep solidarity the
Bishops stand with those who lost their dear and near ones in
this ghastly incident and pray for the repose of the souls of
the departed.
The
Conference of Bishops also strongly condemns the bomb blast
that caused so much of death and destruction of precious human
lives. That it happened on a train that has served as a symbol
of growing peace and harmony between India and Pakistan is a
matter of serious concern to us. And we hope such a cowardice
act of violence will not dampen the spirit of mutual trust and
confidence that has assiduously been built over the years between
the two neighbouring countries.
“It
is our strong belief and conviction that acts of violence and
destruction of human life can never be considered as acceptable
means of addressing any grievances in society. Indulging in
mindless violence is nothing but a manifestation of scant regard
for the sacredness of human life; and it must be curbed with
all our strength,” said Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes,
Secretary General of the CBCI.
The
growing mutual relations between Pakistan and India should climb
new heights; that alone can guarantee peace and stability on
our borders. Any attempt, coming from any quarters, to thwart
the momentum we have gained in creating a congenial atmosphere
on the borders of both countries, therefore, should be dealt
with seriously and with earnest concern.
Issued
by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD
Spokesperson, CBCI