Threats against missioners come from Indonesia and Malaysia
Chiang Mai (AsiaNews) "These stories [about threats] are just made up," said Fr Bruno Rossi. "I am happy to say that I saw how well Christians and Muslims are working together, how a spirit of excellent collaboration permeates relations between people of different religious background."
Father Rossi, who spoke to AsiaNews by phone, dismisses the threats that appeared on an Islamic website and said he "did not feel threatened
'Islammemo' is an Arabic website tied to al-Qaeda that singled out Fr Rossi as evidence that the Catholic Church is engaged in proselytising in tsunami-stricken areas.
The Fidei donum priest from the diocese of Padua (Italy) has been working in Chiang Mai for some years and recently travelled to Phuket and southern Thailand.
He denies any charge of proselytising and states clearly that he has no intention to evangelise anyone. He confirms that local authorities invited him to the places he visited "to lend a hand to the population affected by the tragedy" and "to bear witness that reconstruction can be done in an atmosphere of collaboration amongst Christians, Muslims and Buddhists".
Local sources AsiaNews contacted do confirm this atmosphere of "collaboration amongst Christians and Muslims" and stress that any problems there may be are caused by "members of fundamentalist groups that have come from Indonesia and Malaysia to urge local Muslims not to take aid from Christians".
The same sources insist that there is "a real danger" because these Islamic groups "are trying by every means at their disposal, be they legal or illegal, to spread confusion and hatred of Christians". They do, again, insist that they are fringe elements "from abroad".
For several months, these fringe elements have never the less "been taking away young Christian women on the pretext of marriage", luring them with money and jewels. When the women find out they are the third or fourth wife, "they are prevented from going to church or seek separation".
The same sources say that in Thailand "the Catholic Church is generally accepted in high risk areas and whatever conflicts that do arise do not have any religious basis".
In fact, the recent tragedy has instead "broken down religious barriers. This has made it easier to start reconstruction".
As evidence of this atmosphere of mutual exchange and help Father Rossi cites the work done "by Christians and Muslims in hospitals and refugee camps for those who lost everything in the tsunami".
As further proof of this he mentions a recent ceremony in which "Christians, Muslims and Buddhist prayed together" as well as Phuket's Christian school where there are only 35 Christian pupils in a school body of 1,400, mostly Buddhist and Muslim.
Thai television appealed yesterday to would-be volunteers not to come to Thailand, not out of any religious consideration, but because there are enough aid workers.
It is estimated that half of all the aid sent to the country "goes to feed foreign volunteers who more often than not get in the way".
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