For Orissa Christians, It's Either Faith or Homes

Orissa Christians Forced to Choose Between Faith, Homes

Via Christian Post:

Christians in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, which has been plagued with sectarian violence in recent weeks, are reportedly being coerced into converting to Hinduism in order to save their homes.

Hindu militants behind the deaths of dozens of believers as well as the torching of churches and Christian-owned homes and businesses are demanding Christians sign papers renouncing their faith and convert to Hinduism. If they refuse, the Christians are reportedly threatened with having their property destroyed or face social ostracism, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Also Download and listen from Vatican Radio:
http://62.77.60.84/audio/ra/00129053.RM

Cardinal Toppo on the Orissa Anti Christian Violence

Cardinal Toppo Reacts to Anti Christian Violence in India

(29 Aug 08 - RV) Thousands of Christian-run schools and colleges across India were closed Friday to protest deadly Hindu mob attacks on churches and homes this week in the eastern part of the country. The Cardinal Archbishop of Ranchi, India, Telesphore Toppo spoke with us about the situation...

Download and Listen: Christian Institutions Close for a Day in Protest

Police Refuse Christians Protection

Indian Archbishop Says Police Refuse Christians Protection

In the latest from India, the Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in the Orissa state, Raphael Cheenath told us Christians are being abducted, and many are seeking refuge in the forest as police say they cannot protect those threatened...

All the priests, religious, and lay leaders are hiding in the forest. Therefore communication with them is also very difficult.

A priest ran up the Archbishop saying he was in the forest for the fourth day without much to eat...

Two priests were kidnapped and taken out from a parish called bubari. There has been no further information about them...

Another priest in-charge of the pastoral centre and a sister working there were apprehended and hid themselves in a house. The miscreants went there, pulled them out, stripped them, molested the nun and paraded them in the market place even as 10 policemen stood and watched...

The police are now saying to convents, churches and institutions: You please run away, we cannot protect you, we don't have enough people, and therefore you go anywhere...

Download and Listen: Police Refuse Christians Protection

Pope Condemns Violence, Appeals for Peace

Pope: In India, Religious and Civil Authorities Must Work to Stop the Violence

Firm condemnation from Benedict XVI for what is taking place in Orissa, for "every attack on human life". Solidarity with the Christian victims of attacks by Hindus. For the faithful present at the general audience, he drew a portrait of Saint Paul, "tireless apostle of the Gospel".

The Pope's Words...

"I have learned with deep sadness the news about the violence against the Christian communities in the Indian State of Orissa, which erupted following the deplorable murder of the Hindu leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati. Some persons have been killed and others injured. Worship centers, church property and private houses have also been destroyed.

While I firmly condemn all attacks against human life, the sacredness of which demands the respect of all, I express my spiritual closeness and solidarity to the brothers and sisters in the faith so hardly tried. I implore the Lord to accompany and support them in this time of suffering and give them the strength to continue in the service of love in favour of all.

I ask the religious leaders and civil authorities to work together to restore among the members of the various communities the peaceful coexistence and harmony which have always been the distinguishing mark of the Indian society."

Download and Listen: Real audio broadcast by Vatican Radio.

Vatican Deplores Orissa Violence

Two Downloadable Audio Stories from Vatican Radio.

1. Anti-Christian Violence Rocks Orissa, India
Download Link: http://62.77.60.84/audio/ra/00127342.RM (314 KB)

2. Vatican Deplores Anti-Christian Violence in India
(26 Aug 08 - RV) A Statement from the Press Office released today in response to recent deadly episodes of anti-Christian violence in India, the Holy See deplores the actions of extremists, expresses solidarity with the local Churches in the country and appeals for a return to a climate of dialogue and mutual respect. The President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran has condemned the attacks, as well. We have this report...
Download Link: http://62.77.60.84/audio/ra/00127405.RM (312 KB)

Note: You will need "Real Player" to listen to the clips above. If you don't alreay have it on your system, you can downloaded it for free from www.real.com/freeplayer/

How Could They Not Foresee This?

The government bears a heavy responsibility says Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay, the Chairman of the Latin Rite Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.

"How could they [the government] not foresee ahead of time such a situation and take the necessary preventive measures to avert this large scale mayhem?" asks the prelate.

The prelate noted that last December similar incidents took place in the same area with villages under siege, churches set on fire and people killed.

For the chairman of Indian bishops such episodes are a "shameful for India within the international community; it is a blot on India’s image. The international community might end up seeing us as a nation where the government is slow to act and police is ineffective."

The full story here.

And here's the link to the downloadable audio (Real Audio) file