Killed for their faith in the worst persecution of Christians in the history of India
MUMBAI (ChurchMilitant.com) - About 100 Catholics slaughtered for the Faith in India may soon be declared saints. The bishops of India are now assembling materials to look into their possible canonization, even though the official process is yet to begin.
"The official process has not yet started," says Fr. Ajay Singh, an advocate on behalf of survivors of the anti-Christian pogroms. "But we are working on it and hope to start it in a few months."
In what's considered the most violent persecution of Christians in the history of India, the reign of terror in Orissa (now Odisha) began in August 2008, after the murder of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda. Although Maoists had publicly claimed responsibility for the assassination, Hindu extremists took advantage of the situation to blame Christians and foment anti-Catholic violence.
The persecution in Orissa lasted four months, and included the torture, rape and displacement of about 60,000 Christians, driven from more than 600 villages. Nearly 400 churches were razed and 6,500 houses plundered and destroyed, resulting in $14 million dollars' worth of damage. More than 3,300 riot-related complaints were lodged at local police stations in that time.
Free clip from CHURCH MILITANT premium
Not a subscriber? Start your free trial.
One nun recounted her experience being raped and paraded half-naked in the streets by a group of militant Hindus while local police looked on. A mob had invaded her home, dragging her by the hair onto the verandah while the parish priest protested.
"They pulled out my saree and one of the [sic] stepped on my right hand and another on my left hand and then a third person raped me on the verandah mentioned above. When it was over, I managed to get up and put [on] my petticoat and saree."
She and the priest were forced to walk through the streets while the mob hit them and taunted them. "They tried to strip [me] even there and I resisted and they went on beating me with hands on my cheeks and head and with sticks on my back several times."
When they reached the local police station, instead of helping the victims, the police appeared friendly towards the Hindu mob. The nun eventually filed a police report about the incident, but nothing was ever done.
Other survivors have similarly complained that nothing was done to punish the perpetrators, and they're seeking justice from the president of India. Father Singh, speaking on behalf of the survivors, last year said, "The president has constitutional powers to intervene and ensure justice for citizens. We hope he will exercise his powers to help our hapless people."
Another 2008 attack involved the destruction of the pastoral center of the local diocese, with thousands of Hindu extremists overruning the building and shouting "Kill Christians and destroy their institutions!"
Similar attacks nearby involved destruction of parish property, as well as burning down a van belonging to Bd. Teresa of Calcutta's order the Missionary Sisters of Charity, and a vehicle belonging to the Daughters of the Most Precious Blood.
All told, about 100 Catholics who refused to deny the Faith and convert to Hinduism were killed during the 2008 violence.
"Many would not have been killed if they simpl[y] abandoned their faith and hailed Hindu gods," Fr. Singh said. "[T]hey stood up for their faith, and dared to be butchered. These are remarkable witness stories, good enough to embolden Christians facing persecution anywhere in India."
The church in Odisha has plans to construct a memorial to the martyrs in the 2008 persecution, and the canonization process is expected to begin in a few months.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário