Mumbai, A Way of the Cross against persecution of Christians
In St. Andrew's parish (Bandra West), the faithful will also stage an exhibition informing of recent attacks on churches and communities. Last week the Archbishop and members of the local clergy have discussed the situation with the National Minorities Commission.

Mumbai (AsiaNews / Agencies) - After the attacks on churches and the rape of an elderly nun, some parishes in Mumbai will dedicate today’s Way of the Cross to the growing anti-Christian persecution in India. At St. Andrew's parish in neighborhood Bandra West, during the 14 stations of the pilgrimage the faithful will show a series of posters reporting data and information about the various cases that occurred in recent months.

Last week the National Minorities Commission met with Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, and some members of the Catholic Latin and Syro-Malabar clergy, to discuss the sense of fear and insecurity that is permeating the Christian community after the attacks in recent months.

Attending the interview Fr. Anthony Charanghat, spokesman for the archdiocese, said: "The Archbishop conveyed how that community was sad about the tardy response to the attacks by the administration across the country. It saddens us that one segment makes accusatory statements against the community and its clergy and blame us for conversion. It takes a person one year of training and an affidavit to become a Christian, if not born one".

However, he added, "the commission said it will present our concerns to the government, but that it cannot implement any action about."