Dear Goanetters,
I am publishing the letter of the Archbishop Leo Cornelio, SVD about the
persecutions of the Christians in M.P. and A.P. Let him speak from his heart. I
do believe him. Let others take their own decision. Let the truth prevail!
Regards.
Fr.Ivo
From: archdiocebpl bhopal
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 6:50 AM
Subject: Greetings/FrIvo
Dear Fr. Ivo,
Greetings and peace of the Risen Lord!
I noted the contents of your email message. Thank you for your compliments. But
at the same time you wanted to know whether these happenings are real or
exaggerated. Well, some happenings can be accidental or circumstantial. But
events cannot be continuous, repeated, patterned unless these are
systematically planned at a higher level. There is a method in the occurrences,
and as Shakespeare would say, if there is a method even in madness, it cannot
be sheer madness but planned madness. And I believe that it is planned on a
higher level by a fringe group of extremists who belong to VHP, Bhajrang or
some splinter Hindu outfits. We don't blame Hindus as a religious group. The
vast majority of Hindus are peace-loving, fair minded and reasonable. They
appreciate our service-minded nature, may it be in any area - education, health
care, social service, services to the down trodden, poor, helpless,etc. But
then, this is what exactly fills this fringe group members with anger and envy.
We, a handful of Christian minority, are out to make a difference in the Indian
social and caste system that is sacrosanct to them. But again, it is very
likely that these people are burning with the zeal for their religion or for
the God they believe in. Their God is money, fame, name, riches, political
gains. This is the backgroup, I believe, that evokes these attrocities.
How do we know that these are planned?
It is so clear and easy to know. In places where there are meetings of
Christians (when they are in smaller numbers, of course), or prayer groups,
they are attacked and dispersed in a violent manner, of course. (Just a couple
of days ago in Betul, when such a group gathered for prayer was dispersed and
the Christians ran for their life, one young boy of 21 fell in a well and
died). When members of these groups go to the Police Station, the police not
only refuse to register an FIR but scold them or even arrest them saying that
there is already an FIR registered against them. Reason? Forced conversion. It
has been happening so many times. How is it possible?
On January 28 a Seminary student from Andhra Pradesh, studying in Std. 11
in our Minor Seminary just in the outskirts of Bhopal, committed suicide. The
police came, it made a study of the matter, interviewd the staff and students
and found that there was nothing amiss. It was a purely suicide case. There was
post-mortem and later on a church burial in his hometown in Andhra Pradesh.
After more than 6 weeks, there was an accusation by the father of the boy
saying that his was a Hindu family and the boy was forcibly taken from his home
and was baptized and was forced to study for priesthood. So, out of
frustration, the boy committed suicide. A criminal case was registered against
the parish priest of the home parish of that boy and against the Rector of the
Minor Seminary. All this was done by the VHP members, Bhopal, in connivance
with the VHP people in A.P. Again, how do we know it? Just at the time of the
arrest of the Rector, there was a press interview organized by VHP Chiefs in
Bhopal along with the father of that boy whom they brough from Andhra Pradesh.
Do you need more proofs of this type? I can refer to many. They attack houses,
they attack schools, they prevent rural visits and help to the dalits and
tribal people. Those who can swallow it are those who are blind and deaf with
such sympathies to the extremists that they are imprisoned with chains of lies
and make-belief world. I wish to exaggerate it or make false allegations? The
Lord has asked us to stand for truth and Truth will make us free. If the Risen
Lord is with us, as he has promised repeatedly, we have nothing to fear and
there is no need to hide facts.
As for exaggeration... Well, when many such incidents of this sort happen, we
have to conclude that every event that takes place, is preplanned by these
people, unless there is clear indication that it is only an isolated accident.
Well, Fr. Ivo, there is restraint of time, or else I could write to you
more of such happenings. As faith cannot be forced on anyone (though that is
exactly what the extremists claim as being done!), so also we cannot force
people to trust what we Christians say, much less convince them of the reasons
why we do what we do. I mean, all our charitable actions everywhere. Will they
ever believe in the content and spirit of the last Encyclical of Pope Benedict
XVI, "Caritas in Veritate"? How can any man be so selfless? Christ has shown us
the way by His own life and example.
Another weakness these fringe group people are emboldened with is that
they know most of us, good Christians, God-fearing Christians, praying
Christians who gather together, will not retaliate. They are not taught by
Christ 'an eye for an eye' or a 'tooth for a tooth', but rather, that if they
strike on one cheek, show the other, bless those who persecute you, pray for
hour enemies, etc. But I am not sure how long the Christian leaders will be
able to restrain their people. The injustices the poor and dalit people, in
general, are subjected to go much beyond religious persecutions of Christians
alone.
Let's hope and pray that the Risen Lord is the source of our inner
strength who will fill us with peace, joy in contentment even in the face of
these odds.
With every good wish,
Abp Leo Cornelio SVD
Bhopal Archdiocese, M.P
Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2010 6:45 PM
Subject: Archbishop Demands Action on Hindutva Harassment
Santosh
I received the following message in my mail-box. How would you classify the
contents of this message- victimhood or persecution?
Regards,
Marshall
"A prelate in a central Indian state demanded protection and fair treatment to
Christians who he says face continued harassment from right wing Hindu groups.
Christians have been harassed, humiliated, says Archbishop Leo Cornelio of
Bhopal, who heads the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh state. The state
government has not taken any action against the perpetrators of crime against
the minority community, the prelate told a press conference in Bhopal, the
state capital. "Our people are booked in false cases and sent to jail but those
who attack us walk free," the prelate said. "This callous approach of the
government toward such fringe groups inimical to the Church is a matter of
serious worry and concern," he said. "I want to remind the government that it
is the government’s duty to protect each citizen without looking into anyone’s
caste, creed and community sympathies," Archbishop Cornelio said.
The inaction on the part of the government and law enforcement agencies has
created a sense of insecurity among Christians who feel threatened. The prelate
told UCA News later that a mudslinging campaign by anti-Christian groups had
created discord and distrust among religious communities. These groups must be
stopped before they spawn disharmony and disturb peaceful co-existence in the
state, he said. Christians have faced continuous attacks since the pro-Hindu
BJP came to power in December 2003. Since then, the state witnessed more than
150 attacks on Christians and their institutions, according to Church records.
Archbishop Cornelio, however, maintained the Church would continue to discharge
its duties. "We will not succumb to pressure," he said. The archbishop also
announced Christians would organize a protest march on April 18 in Bhopal to
highlight their plight".
