Vandals against a Catholic school
New Delhi (AsiaNews) Government intervention and the necessity of not covering up episodes of anti-Christian violence: these are the demands of the Catholic Church after an attack by thugs on a school run by sisters on the outskirts of New Delhi in India.
On 23 May, a gang of vandals set fire to the complex of St Mary in Sabhapur run by the Sacred Heart Sisters. The attack took place at night: the gang burned records in the director's office and the doors of the three classrooms, as well as destroying 1000 new diaries for students and 200 textbooks. "This is nothing left in the rooms except the table," said one tribal sister who teaches in the school. In all, five sisters reside in St Mary's complex.
The school has 250 students, currently away for summer holidays, and the only watchman is also on holiday. St Mary, which is located in the diocese of Meerut, offers tuition to the poorest children from villages. The local bishop, Mgr Patrick Nair, visited the school and prompted the police to open an inquiry.
"The forces of order must immediately arrest those guilty of the incident," Fr Shaya Das, treasurer of Meerut diocese told AsiaNews.
"As Christians, we believe in forgiveness," emphasised the priest, who is one of those conducting a diocesan inquiry. "But such violence against innocent sisters and children must be brought to light." According to Fr Das, people must "know of the base acts committed by these thugs who spread violence and fear".
After going on site to the school, the priest said the vandals have destroyed all records: "As I told the police and government authorities, this is a crime even against the children of the city." The priest warned that more security was necessary; the sisters nearly risked their lives. "Due to continuous power blackouts and unbearable heat, the sisters usually sleep out on the terrace," he said. "Luckily, that night, they were in their rooms because the electricity supply was on."
Rajpalsingh Rana, the police official in charge of the case said "the principle aim of the gang was to destroy the school records". He added that before the assault, the school had not received any complaints about teaching or administrative staff.
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