India: Bishops protest after mob attacks chapel

Source: Fides/Archdiocese of Hyderabad

Church leaders in India have protested after a crowd of about 100 people vandalised a Catholic chapel in Hyderabad.

Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of India (CBCI) said: "It is clear that Hindu fundamentalists and anti-social elements were responsible for the shameful act on May 21, 2017, when a crowd of about 100 people attacked and devastated the prayer room of Fatima in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad."

The Minister of Interior of the State of Telengana, has promised a serious investigation to seek and punish the perpetrators of the crime.

Archbishop Thumma Bala has invited clergy, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad to organize and promote spiritual activities, including Adoration, Holy Mass and Prayer meetings as "restoration" for the desecration of the statues and the building.

Solemn Eucharistic Adoration and Mass celebrated by the Archbishop will be held on May 30, while on June 2 all the churches and chapels of the area will organize a two-hour Eucharistic Adoration. The following day a special Rosary will be recited in all the parish churches of the Archdiocese. Finally on June 9 there will be a special fasting for clergy, religious and faithful.

"On behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, we say that such shameful acts are against free religious practice in our country. These gestures lack respect for our beloved country and its citizens, lovers of peace, of all communities", the Indian Bishops said in a statement.

"We thank the Archbishop of Hyderabad, Mgr Bala for having faced such a delicate situation in a serene and spiritual way. We assure our prayers and proximity", reads the text.

"We appeal to our political leaders to ensure that the religious sites of all communities are protected and that the right of every citizen to worship God, according to his beliefs, is protected", concludes the bishops’ text.