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Bishops of India| CBCI Commissions | Dioceses of India| Do you know? |
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Press Statements |
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CBCI
CONDEMNS ATTACK ON CHRISTIANS IN ORISSA, New
Delhi, July 10, 2008 The fanatic criminals attacked the Jesuit residence in Tumudibandh Block of Kandhamal District. They devastated the institution and its belongings such as sacred statues, household articles and other valuables. They also attacked the Bhagvan Ashram, an orphanage run by a Christian, Mr. Satpati. The CBCI deeply regrets that during the past few decades, Orissa’s history has been marred by periodic communal violence and that no effective and lasting steps have been taken till date by the State Government to restrain communal elements. Consequently, the communal forces are emboldened to commit further crimes on Christian community. The CBCI appeals to the State and the Central Governments to curb the anti-social activities of fundamentalists and their associates. The Christian community in the State has been repeatedly made victim of hatred and violence but the Administration has not strongly intervened in defense of the people who are targeted. It gives a strong impression that the attacks on the Christian community have been well planned and systematically executed. The Orissa State Government is a constitutionally elected Government and therefore it has the obligation to treat all its people irrespective of their religion equally and protect their legitimate rights. We believe strongly that maintaining law and order should become a top priority for the State Government and it should create an atmosphere where people can live without fear. In a State where communal polarization has been on the increase, social harmony is very much the need of the hour and the Government along with the enlightened citizens and people of goodwill should endeavor to create a just, fair and democratic society. Most
Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes CBCI expresses its solidarity with the victims of Cyclone in Myanmar New
Delhi, May 09, 2008 Expressing his solidarity with those who have lost their family members to the devastating cyclone in Myanmar, the President of CBCI and Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, His Beatitude Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil said, “ Though words fail to express our sorrow for the victims of the cyclone our efforts to alleviate the sufferings caused by the natural disaster will not be wanting.” His Beatitude Cardinal Varkey prayed for those killed in the Cyclone and offered his condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones. Cardinal Varkey remembered in a special way the missing people and prayed for their safe return to their homes. The Catholic Church at various levels has organized relief works for the victims of Cyclone in Myanmar. Caritas India, the Social Development Wing of the CBCI, is planning to join hands with the Church in Myanmar for the relief and rehabilitation work among the victims of Cyclone. Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD CBCI Expresses Serious Concern over the Gujarat Conversion Laws New
Delhi, May 06, 2008 While the stated objective of the Freedom of Religion Act is to safeguard the personal liberties of a citizen from fraudulent and coercive influences in making his/her choices, there is a real possibility, against the backdrop of the atmosphere of hostility created against certain communities in Gujarat, that the discretionary powers of the executive may be put to arbitrary use. That such a thing has happened in the past gives credence to the genuine anxiety of those who are being constantly haunted on the fictitious charges of coercion religious conversion. The new Rules also violate the very fundamental rights of citizens to choose their own beliefs without any interference from the secular state, which in fact, has every obligation to zealously safeguard the Constitutional rights. In addition, to subject one's conscience to the dictates of a civil authority is a gross misuse of the temporal powers vested in such an authority that is derived from the Constitution of India, which is the collective will of people. As religion is a matter of personal choice, and not determined by a civil servant, it is most unwarranted that the State should intervene in it; it must limit its role to a whistle blower when religion and religious observances create law and order problem. The new so called Freedom of Religion Act has anything but freedom contained in it. By implementing this draconian law the State of Gujarat has demonstrated that it has little regard for Constitutional rights of citizens, personal liberties, and freedom of conscience, which are most sacred for an individual. It serves no useful purpose other than to feed on the biases that have been astutely crafted and circulated to divide people on the lines of religion and harass the innocent people. With all the strength on our side we must resist any attempt to weaken individual freedom and personal liberty brought to us by our forbears who made great sacrifices for the Independence of our nation and to preserve its secular character.
Most Rev Stanislaus Fernandes CBCI Condoles the Death of Ms Nirmala Deshpande New
Delhi, May 06, 2008 Ms Despande as a true Gandhian who lived the principles of simplicity, honesty, and dedication to the welfare of the less privileged in society. The Catholic Bishops recalled Ms Despande's sterling work in spreading the values of non-violence and communal amity not only within India but also with our neighboring countries. She dared to march through the trouble torn streets of Punjab at the height of militancy there; led a peace march in Orissa after the gruesome murder of the Australian missionary Graham Steins and appealed for communal harmony after the Gujarat carnage. The Bishops also noted her rare courage in moving right into the heart of troubled areas of the country with a banner of peace and amity. And she would command respect from all sections of society. She believed in the solidarity of humankind as a family and in the essence of all religions, namely, to lead all to the divine presence. Ms Despande's contribution to the nation's growth towards social cohesion and communal harmony will be remembered by many generations to come. Her departure from our presence has left a void that is difficult to fill. Nevertheless, her indomitable spirit of hope and courage will live in the hearts and minds of those who have known her and worked with her. The Indian Catholic Bishops offer their special prayers for the repose of the soul of Ms Despande and offer heartfelt condolences to her near and dear once . Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD 28th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) New
Delhi, February 08, 2008 Presently His Eminence Cardinal Toppo of Ranchi is the President of the CBCI, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal of Trivandrum, Malankara Catholic Church and Bishop Gratian Mundadan of Bijnor are Vice Presidents and Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes of Gandhinagar, the Secretary General. Besides
the Office-Bearers of the CBCI, the other dignitaries who will
grace the occasion are: President of the Pontifical Council
for Laity, Stanislaw Cardinal Rylko and the Apostolic Nuncio
in India, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana. Professor Rita Noronha
will give the keynote address on “Empowerment of Women
in the Church and Society”. Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD CBCI To Lead A Delegation To Orissa To Study Attacks On Christians New
Delhi, January 02, 2007 The purpose of the delegation to visit Orissa is to make a study of the attacks on Christians and present a report to the appropriate State and Church authorities for further action. Recently, CBCI had coordinated various meetings of Archbishop Rapahel Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhuabaneshwar with the central leaders and apprised them of the actual situation of Khandhamal district of Orissa, which witnessed unprecedented atrocities against Christians .in the State. In all the meetings, the Archbishop Cheenath has been assured categorically of support by the national leaders in the following manner: 1
Both the Prime Minster and the Home Minister assured that the
Government Issued by:
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD CBCI Appeals For Safety And Security Of Christians In Orissa New
Delhi, December 31, 2007 From 22nd Dec to 27th December the following buildings and institutions were destroyed by the Fundamentalist groups. 2. INSTITUTIONS SO FAR ATTACKED AND DESTROYED 1. Large Parish Church (5) 2. Village Churches (50) (So Far Known To Us) 3. Convents (6) 4. Presbytery (3) 5. Hostels (6) 6. Minor Seminary (Balliguda and Barakhama) (2) 7. Vocational Training Centre (Balliguda) (1) 8. Srasananda, leprosy centre (Pobingia) (1) A good number of village churches are also destroyed of which there is no definite information. In Barakhama, 400 houses are gutted, five people murdered, property looted, one tractor burnt. The formation house of Capuchin congregation was totally vandalized. Because of the highly sensitive situation the Catholic Church in Orissa is not able to go and assess the needs of victims of violence. There are road blocks, (felling trees on the road), danger of being attacked, etc. It may take some time. But from the information communicated to the Catholic Church by the missionaries from the place of attacks and atrocities it is roughly estimated a loss of about 2.5 million rupees. Many years’ of hard work and the infra-structure for rendering service to the poor and the marginalized has been totally destroyed in five days. What is left now is fear and anxiety. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India calls for: 1. An immediate unbiased enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigations 2. Adequate and immediate deployment of Central paramilitary Forces 3. Immediate compensation to the inured and the survivors of the dead as paid top victims of similar violence in other states. Unless immediate and urgent action is taken, CBCI fears that the situation in Orissa will deteriorate and will lead to much suffering for our people, as also for the common men, women and children of the tribal areas, the poorest of the poor. The Kui Janakalyan Samiti had declared bandh on 25th and 26th December 2007 in order to press for their demands. But Christians feel that it was only ploy used against Christians in order to: a) Disturb their Christmas celebration, the important feast of Christians; it is even a National holiday. b) Instead of conducting bandh they have unleashed a reign of terror, destroying institutions, intimidating Christians and forcing them to go out of their homes. c) Their entire attention is on driving away Christians from the region. In addition, offices such as those of World Vision have also been destroyed. While the Christian leadership has been appealing for peace and harmony, aggressive religious fundamentalist elements and organisations have a field day in intimidating and attacking the Christian community. We appeal to the Central and State governments to ensure that there is ample police protection given to the Christian community, its personnel, and insitutions in the state. +
Archbishop Raphael Cheenath SVD
Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD CBCI Calls For A Week Of Prayer For Peace And Harmony In Orissa New
Delhi, December 27, 2007 In a circular to the Church hierarchy in India, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, President of CBCI has urged the Church leaders to observe a week of Prayer as a mark of solidarity with the victims of hate campaign and violence in Orissa. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo said, that a week of prayer in all Churches across the country would give courage to the Christians of Orissa to face the challenges posed to them with a strong faith in Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Cardinal Toppo said that the vicious attacks on Christians in Orissa continue inspite of the police deployment in some disturbed areas. He said that the heinous crimes on the day of nativity of Lord Jesus seem to be well planned and executed by misguided people and anti-social elements. Cardinal Toppo has also expressed his serious concern at the Christians living in forests due to fear of more attacks in Orissa. The miscreants have forced the Christians to leave their villages and take refuge in the forest. It is reported that approximately 2000 Christians including religious sisters and priests are hiding in forests without proper food and sanitation. During
the week of prayer, all the Churches in India will pray for
people affected by violence in Orissa and offer special prayers
for the change of heart of the perpetrators of violence and
hatred so that God may give them understanding and wisdom to
follow the path of love and fellowship. Issued
by: Catholic Bishops Express Shock And Anguish At The Series Of Attacks On Christians In Orissa New
Delhi, December 26, 2007 It was reported that ‘Kui Janakalyan Samiti’ had declared a bandh on 25th and 26th December. When some members of Kui Janakalyan Samiti interfered with the Christmas celebrations on December 24 and destroyed the Christmas decoctions of Ambedkar Baniko Sangho, the situation turned tense. The members of the Kui Jankalyan Samith then took law in their hands and allegedly attacked the Christians with sticks, knives and other lethal weapons. They also destroyed 18 Churches and village Chapels and nearly 15 shops belonging to Christians, 4 convents of the religious women, 8 hostels for children and 2 vocational training centers. A series of well planned attacks on innocent Christians and their leaders have completely shocked us and we are deeply pained at a time when we are celebrating peace and harmony of Christmas. These attacks on Christians on the day of Christmas seem to suggest a planned effort to disturb communal peace by some misguided and anti-social elements. What is more worrying and disheartening to note is the manner in which the unruly mob went on rampaging in villages where Christians were preparing to celebrate Christmas with a near total impunity. It
is our earnest appeal to the Central and the State Governments
to urgently intervene in this matter so that the lawless elements
are brought to book at the earliest. It is most important that
the tiny minority Christian community of Orissa feels safe and
secure to carry on with their normal life and activities. Issued
by: CBCI Welcomes The Suggestion Of The National Commission For Scheduled Castes To Include Dalit Christians And Muslims In The Reservation Quota New
Delhi, October 16, 2007 The opinion given by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to include Christian and Muslims of Scheduled Castes origin is truly wise and praiseworthy. The Bishops’ Conference strongly believes that it is only just and fair that Christians and Muslims of Scheduled castes origin should get the legal protection and other educational and employment benefits given to their counterparts in other religions. The CBCI has stated over and over again that just by changing their faith, their status, social and economic backwardness and the burden of being downtrodden for centuries does not alter overnight. Since our Dalit Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs are already included in the list of Scheduled Castes, it is in the fitness of things that the situation of Muslim and Christian Dalits be also recognized and they be granted their just demand. We earnestly hope that the rightful and timely recommendation of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes will hasten the process of granting the Scheduled Caste Status to Christians and Muslims of Scheduled Castes Origin. Issued
by: CBCI
Deplores The Bomb Blast In Ajmer, New
Delhi, October 12, 2007 The Church in India is saddened to note that the blast has taken place soon after Iftar, the sacred time when our Muslim brothers and sisters were breaking the fast observed during the month of Ramzan. We express our deep solidarity with the victims of the bomb blast and offer our condolences to the bereaved families of those killed as well as wish speedy recovery to those injured in the blast. This act of terror is aimed at disturbing the social amity, which has been the hallmark of Ajmer, the pilgrim city. We appeal to the people of the city and of the country at large to maintain calm and peace at this tragic hour of crisis. We uphold the dignity of human life and the right of all humans to a peaceful co-existence. We also pray for those involved in causing the bomb blast that they may gain wisdom to understand the true meaning of human life and change their path of violence in order to forge bonds of harmonious living. We have witnessed in the recent past acts of terror at the holy places that disrupt seriously the communal harmony. We sincerely appeal to the Government to safeguard places of worship throughout the country and refrain anti-social elements from disturbing the rhythm of social life.
Issued by: CBCI President Felicitates New President Of India New
Delhi, July 25, 2007
Issued by: All India Catholic Education Policy Ensures Holistic Education For All Particularly For The Marginalized. New
Delhi, May 31, 2007 Cardinal Toppo at the release of the document said that the All India Catholic Education Policy 2007 will open a new chapter in the history of Catholic Education in India as it would work towards ensuring education of all Catholics and the marginalized. Cardinal said, the Catholic Education Policy is of the whole Church in India and as such the entire Catholic Community in India is involved in its implementation. The Catholic Education Policy seeks to clarify and stress the essential mission of Catholic Education in India. A key focus area in the policy is on the need for Catholic institutions to contribute actively to the betterment of India and its people by bringing the light of knowledge to as many people as possible. The policy also suggests developing micro models of communities of solidarity across the many borders that presently divide the country like caste, creed and culture that make the country less cohesive The policy exhorts the Catholic community to participate in the second ‘freedom struggle’ for emancipation from illiteracy, poverty and divisiveness and make a substantial contribution to fashion a new seamless Indian society as envisioned by the Constitution of India.
Issued by: Attack On Christian Community Cause Serious Concern New
Delhi, May 14, 2007 It is this kind of uncalled for and heinous acts of violence that are responsible for the increase in the number of attacks on various Christian institutions and personnel throughout the country over the last few years. It is no surprise, since the culprits mostly go scot-free, that the number of attacks have gone over two hundred in just one year. A few incidents of attacks on Christians are brought to the attention of people thought the media but a large number of them go unreported; and even the police in some case fail to discharge their duties by not registering FIR. These attacks are being carried out at the pretext of opposing ‘conversion by force or fraud’. There is nothing farther for truth. The fact of the matter is that Christianity has been here for two thousand years and yet it has just 2.32% of the nation’s total population. This certainly goes to show that the proponents of anti-Christian movements are riding on the fictitious claims of large conversion. Time
and again the Christian community has made its stand on conversion
clear. It has categorically stated that it neither accepts nor
endorses any fraudulent means of conversion; and if anyone indulges
in them, it is totally unacceptable. At the same time we would
want to underline the fact that freedom of conscience is to
be protected as the Constitution of India gives its citizens
the right to preach and practice the religion of his/her choice.
This right is to be respected by all means. CBCI Expresses Serious Concern Over Samjhauta Train Tragedy New
Delhi, February 19, 2007 The Conference of Bishops also strongly condemns the bomb blast that caused so much of death and destruction of precious human lives. That it happened on a train that has served as a symbol of growing peace and harmony between India and Pakistan is a matter of serious concern to us. And we hope such a cowardice act of violence will not dampen the spirit of mutual trust and confidence that has assiduously been built over the years between the two neighbouring countries. “It is our strong belief and conviction that acts of violence and destruction of human life can never be considered as acceptable means of addressing any grievances in society. Indulging in mindless violence is nothing but a manifestation of scant regard for the sacredness of human life; and it must be curbed with all our strength,” said Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, Secretary General of the CBCI. The
growing mutual relations between Pakistan and India should climb
new heights; that alone can guarantee peace and stability on
our borders. Any attempt, coming from any quarters, to thwart
the momentum we have gained in creating a congenial atmosphere
on the borders of both countries, therefore, should be dealt
with seriously and with earnest concern. |
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