Dear confreres and friends,
"Another Face of INDIA"
The August 23, there was the murder of a Hindu leader, Swami Laxmananda Sarwati by Maoist extremists. After this happened, Hindu mobs started to attack Christian centers in Khandamal in Orissa.
With deep shame and feelings of disappointment, India faced again a terrible situation, and it is b
ecoming more near to our own skin. The hate of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), a Hindu fundamentalist group is growing against Catholics and Christians.
ecoming more near to our own skin. The hate of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), a Hindu fundamentalist group is growing against Catholics and Christians.Murder and torture and burning have started started. Thousands of Catholics, including nuns and priests, have fled to the jungle to save their lives. The VHP have threatened to kill them. In the forest there is no protection. There is no drinking water, no place for sleeping, no food…, nothing. What about the children and the sick among them??!!
Yesterday, the CBCI released an updated list of devastations in the eastern State of Orissa. According to this data, 26 were killed, and many more were injured. At least 41 churches (Catholic and Protestant) were destroyed, 4,014 houses were damaged, 6 convents, five hostels and youth residences, six Catholic volunteer institutes were devastated, and hundreds of cars and other belongings were set on fire during the raids carried out by Hindu fundamentalists.
"The protest is meant to highlight the slaughter of Christians in Orissa, which has been made worse by the incapability of the central government to stop violence at a time when anti-Christian sentiments are growing and the faithful are tortured and killed," said CBCI chairman, Oswald Cardinal Gracias.
All over the country prayer days are held, and on the 6th of September a fast day for the victims 
will take place. On Friday, Aug.29 all the Catholic schools were closed (more than 25,000.) In each diocese rallies took place in support of "Our people in Orissa.” In our diocese of Cochin there was a big rally in the midst of heavy rain. Thousands of the faithful, and also our own seminarians, along with other religious and priests, with the Bishop - under umbrellas- lead the long procession. It was not only an expression of support, but also a witness of faith. On the placards were slogans such as “We pray for peace" and "We don't hate the Hindus", and "We will not take revenge with violence."
will take place. On Friday, Aug.29 all the Catholic schools were closed (more than 25,000.) In each diocese rallies took place in support of "Our people in Orissa.” In our diocese of Cochin there was a big rally in the midst of heavy rain. Thousands of the faithful, and also our own seminarians, along with other religious and priests, with the Bishop - under umbrellas- lead the long procession. It was not only an expression of support, but also a witness of faith. On the placards were slogans such as “We pray for peace" and "We don't hate the Hindus", and "We will not take revenge with violence."A tragedy took place where a priest and a sister were hidden behind the pastoral center: The Hindu mob broke into the house and dragged them outside. “They began our crucifixion parade,” said Father Chellen. “The gang of about 50 armed Hind
us beat us up and led us like culprits along the road to the burned pastoral center. There they tore my shirt and started pulling off the clothes of the nun. When I protested, they beat me hard with iron rods. Later they took the nun inside and raped her while they went on kicking and teasing me, forcing me to say vulgar words" said the priest, who has cuts, bruises and whose whole body was swollen, with stitches on his face. “Later, both of us, half naked, were taken to the streets, and they ordered me to have sex with the nun in public, saying nuns and priests do it. As I refused ,they went on beating me, and dragged us to the nearby government office. Sadly, dozens of policemen were watching all this,” he said. Angry at his plea to the police for help, the mob beat the bleeding priest again.
us beat us up and led us like culprits along the road to the burned pastoral center. There they tore my shirt and started pulling off the clothes of the nun. When I protested, they beat me hard with iron rods. Later they took the nun inside and raped her while they went on kicking and teasing me, forcing me to say vulgar words" said the priest, who has cuts, bruises and whose whole body was swollen, with stitches on his face. “Later, both of us, half naked, were taken to the streets, and they ordered me to have sex with the nun in public, saying nuns and priests do it. As I refused ,they went on beating me, and dragged us to the nearby government office. Sadly, dozens of policemen were watching all this,” he said. Angry at his plea to the police for help, the mob beat the bleeding priest again.Later, a government official, and members of the mob, took the priest and the nun to the policy station, where father Chellen said he was kicked in the face ." The four hour ordeal ended when a senior police officer arrived in the evening,” said Father Chellen.
Asked about the nun (who was traumatized and taken to a convent), father said “we had no option and were simply following their commands. We resisted as much as we could. This is like being tortured for Christ.”
Another touching witness given by a sister in the jungle, "We as followers of Christ, should we not take up the cross as Jesus did and make the way of His Cross too?"
Dear confreres and friends, with my heart full of solidarity and love for all the victims in Orissa, I ask you to pray for them. This will be the beginning of a NEW LIFE FOR THE CHURCH IN ORISSA, the Victory comes through the cross.
Fr. Martin SCJ
Superior of SCJ India District
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