Muslim extremists and Naxalites destroy two churches
Mumbai (AsiaNews/Agencies) In one week, violence against Christians has seen two churches destroyed: that of Matha Mary in the state of Chhattisgarth and the church of St Francis of Assisi in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Naxalite rebels on December 5 ransacked and burnt down the church of Matha Mary in Pusnar village in Jagdalpur diocese. Mgr Simon Stock Palathra, Bishop of Jadgalpur, deplored the fact that "till today none of the criminals have been nabbed even though the police know the attackers".
According to him, "the Naxalites do not want the Tribals to become Catholic or Hindu but want them to retain their tribal culture intact as it suits them to rule over them".
This is the second violent episode involving Naxalites in the last few weeks. Early in the month, the rebels expelled 36 Tribals from their homes after torturing them for having converted to Christianity.
Last Sunday morning, some young boys entered Matha Mary church and ran away with religious hymnbooks and Holy Mass book when they saw the parish priest Father Kupel. Later around 9 pm, about 20 people entered the building after breaking open the door, threw straw inside the church and lit a fire.
The Bishop said the same church was attacked two months ago. In October, a group of people entered the church, took away the vestments and holy pictures, and then visited four Catholic families from whom they robbed some valuables.
On December 3, an attack took place against the St Francis of Assisi church in Mathal in the diocese of Kottar on the coast of the state of Tamil Nadu (southern India).
A group of Muslim fundamentalists damaged the front door of the church, broke some windows and destroyed a statue of St Francis Xavier which was in front of the church. A home-made bomb was later found inside the church.
Police are convinced that Muslim fundamentalists are behind the attack because in the preceding days the parish priest and his parishioners received threats. A local group of Muslim extremists called Byath had spray-painted anti-Christian and anti-Jewish graffiti on the walls of the church.
The church of St Francis is celebrating 75 years since it was founded and the parish priest had organised for Advent a special 'Harmony day' devoted to inter-faith dialogue and friendship between different religions.
India's government wants to stop the escalation of anti-Christian violence. Congress Party chairwoman Sonia Ghandi said that a bill will be sent to parliament to stop inter-religious violence. It will include compensation for victims, quicker investigations to find those responsible for violence against people and holy places and harsher sentences for those found guilty.
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