Chief Minister acknowledges that not every block in state has been pacified despite the authorities’ best efforts. Farmers’ flight into the forest has jeopardized this year’s harvest. Christian leaders prepare memorandum, laying out necessary emergency steps, for Union cabinet’s consideration.
BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh begins voting on 27 November. Some Christians are running as candidates in a number of parties.
Clergyman is pushed and shoved, beaten and left unconscious in the street. Hindu radicals accuse the Christian community of involvement in conversions. Monsignor Fernandes, bishop of Bombay, says these actions are terrorism and endanger Indian democracy.
The government of Orissa permits a march calling for "an end to the conversions." Meanwhile, in Bangalore, three Christians are arrested under the false accusation of inducing conversion. The AICC provides updated figures on anti-Christian violence.
The Dalai Lama has taken note that Beijing does not want to concede anything, and is using "dialogue" only to revive false accusations of violence. Now the Tibetans are seeking new forms of nonviolent confrontation. An interview with one of their leaders.
The request is made in a letter addressed to the state’s chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, to help things get back to normal. However, violence and forced re-conversion to Hinduism are still taking place in the state, generating fear and terror. The bishops call on the central government to continue the deployment of special forces in the state until after the upcoming election which is scheduled for 9 April next year.
Celebrations in honour of the Clarist nun end in the presence of former Indian President Abul Kalam and Card Leonardo Sandri. In mentioning the recent wave of anti-Christian violence the prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches said: “Orissa is a name that is alive in our hearts and on our lips as well as those of the people of Europe—we are with the persecuted Church. We ask for freedom of religion in order to live in freedom and peace.”
The dead man led anti-Christian attacks in December 2007 in Kandhamal district. Maoist groups are suspected in his death but Christians fear a new wave of violence.
Card Oswald Gracias of Mumbai talks about the election of an African-American president. His election is an example for India whose greatness lies in its ethnic and religious pluralism. Questions are raised and prayers are urged against Obama’s pro-abortion views.
Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Bhubaneshwar, comments to AsiaNews on the first pastoral letter of the bishops of Orissa following the violence that began at the end of August. The text calls for justice regarding all of the destruction, but also thanks many citizens and Indian and international organizations for their collaboration.
Three bishops, more than 150 priests and 3,000 faithful take part in the funeral liturgy for the priest who died from injuries inflicted upon him by Hindu fundamentalists. Police and security staff patrolled the area around the church against possible attacks. Father Bernard has forgiven his persecutors.
Archbishop Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar emphasizes his "tireless" work on behalf of "persecuted Christians," and his devotion to the Virgin Mary. His fellow religious stress his "virtues and ability to forgive his persecutors." Friday October 31, the community's last goodbye to the slain priest.
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