Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The Indian Church is suffering "deep sorrow and anguish" following the gang rape of a 17 year old pre-novice in Bangalore, attacked two days ago in the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Nativity by three men.
The brutal attack was reported to AsiaNews by Msgr. Bernard Moras (see photo), Archbishop of Bangalore, according to who "this barbaric and inhumane act accomplished this on a girl, in the rooms of a convent, is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. His violence affects each of us" . Found in a state of unconsciousness, the girl is now hospitalized at St. John's Hospital.
The attack took place shortly after lunch time. The victim was alone in her room on the ground floor of the Institute in Hennur, when someone rang the bell. She went to open: three men sprinkled some chemical substance and she fainted. They trailed her outside, raped and then fled away, leaving her unconscious. Everything happened in 10 minutes. Yesterday, the victim filed a complaint and the police opened an investigation on the basis of sect. 376 of the Indian Penal Code ("rape" carries a minimum of seven years to life in prison).
"This crime - said Msgr. Moras - is doubly cruel because it affects a woman, and because this girl who had the desire to consecrate her life to God instead has been violated in the most brutal way possible. Last night I prayed all night, for this young girl, for her religious community, for her family, for our state and for India".
"In our schools - said the prelate - we teach moral values to people and respect for the dignity of women. This act is a shameful blot on the dignity of our women, society and nation. I demand justice for all victims."