Mumbai (AsiaNews) – An “unfortunate incident, manipulated by dark forces trying to gain something” but which “should not be seen as a widespread anti-Christian attitude,” Card Telesphore Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi and chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of India, told AsiaNews as he commented an incident in which photos of him were burnt by a group of nationalist fanatics in public in the central Indian state of Jharkhand.
The prelate has been unjustly accused of denigrating the people of Assam, a state bordering on Jharkhand, and three attorneys have filed charges against him for that reason after some local papers published statements allegedly made by the cardinal in which he is supposed have called for the repatriation of people from Jharkhand living in Assam because they are badly treated there.
The fact of the matter is that Cardinal Toppo simply condemned an act of violence that took place on November 24 in which a group of Assamese attacked a demonstration by Tribals demanding the recognition of their rights.
For this reason he said “I have nothing to fear for I have not done anything that requires repenting. Many people have indeed expressed their support for me. Of course, one is sorry for this type of attack which leads to violence, but with forgiveness and faith in Christ one can overcome everything.”
In any case, “there are some dark interests behind all this,” he added. “‘Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered,’ says the Bible. Prophetically the Pope’s new encyclical brings hope to me and the Church in India. ‘In hope we are saved’ says its title. In a time of misunderstandings and persecution such an appeal renews my hope and faith,” he said.