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St. George catholic church at Uire in Belthangady-Karnataka damaged
17-09-2008
The Diocese of Belthangady, comprising of Bishop, Priests, Religious and the lay faithful, is greatly shocked, disturbed and deeply pained at desecration of our St.George Church at Ujire today(17th morning) at around 5.00 am. The miscreants entered the church by breaking the lock of front door and burned the Bible, prayer books putting on the Beme table and destroyed crucifix, statues and holy icons. They have thrown away our most holy tabernacle where we keep Blessed Sacrament. Kerosene was poured on carpets inside the church to set fire. By the Providence of God the church is not burnt.
Today at 6.00 am when Rev. Mani, parish priest and Sisters who came to the Church for Mass saw this shocking scenes and immediately informed to me. The message was immediately conveyed to the Police Inspector and suddenly they arrived and assessed the situation. The Belthangady Thahashildar also came to the spot and assessed the situation and informed to higher authorities.
We strongly condemn the act. We are not violent and not believe in violence. We respect the administration and the law of the country. We respect all religions. We, the Christian minority community, need protection from kinds of anti-social, anti-religious activities.
We have churches in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Udupi districts. We are peace loving people. We, the Catholic community, with all like minded people forgive the culprits and pray for them as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to do.
Ours is a democratic country and all the citizens enjoy equal rights and privileges. No one can usurp the constitutional rights of this minority community in this largest democratic nation. The quality of democracy must be measured by the way the country treats its minorities and the marginalized. Democracy is really at stake in a country where the minorities and marginalized are terrorized and their existence is threatened. The violence and brutalities against Christians in Karnataka are perpetrated on the basis of false ideologies and distorted notions that violate the very fabric of Democracy and the spirit of the Constitution of India.
On behalf of the entire Christian Community and the people of good will in Karnataka,
I strongly appeal to the Government of Karnataka and also to the Central Government:
1. to stop violence in Karnataka immediately.
2. to give confidence and support to the Christians, especially to those who were attacked and victimized.
3. to give suitable compensation for the damages of these brutal acts.
4. to provide necessary protection and proper security to the churches, convents and institutions.
5. to bring to books the culprits who desecrated the places of worship, caused damages to the properties and to initiate impartial inquiry.
6. to organize inter-religious prayer meetings and interactions among the different religious communities to promote understanding, harmony and peace in the state.
7. to create cordial and secure atmosphere in the state where people, especially the minorities, can live without any fear or anxiety.
Issued from the Bishop’s Office on 17th September, 2008
