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The CSF takes strong exception to the fifth case of vandalism that has taken place in the national capital in the last 2 months. Over two dozen incidents of Christian persecution have been documented in the last 2 months of 2014 according to a report released by the CSF which has seen a rapid rise in crimes against Christians. Coming just days before the Delhi elections, the desecration of St. Alphonsa’s Church seems to be with a view to polarise the voters on communal lines.

Please find below a ucan report, according to which the attackers broke open the main gate of St Alphonsa’s Church in the Vasant Kunj area and entered the sacristy, before opening the tabernacle and scattering the host and desecrating the place. If Christians are not safe in the national capital, what else can we expect across the states, where hostility and fundamentalism is even more stronger.

The CSF in a representation after the Delhi polls will take up the issue with the President, Prime Minister and Union Home Minister emphasizing the need to protect the Christian minority, as India is becoming increasing dangerous for the community to even freely practice their faith. Such instances place severe restrictions on the freedom of conscience and we will take it up.

The Church & others seem to have their limitations, but The CSF calls upon all ICAN activists to send in their suggestions, as to how to deal with the menace in a befitting manner. Do write in and share your thoughts in an email to csfpost@gmail.com

In the meanwhile keep the prayers going.

Your brother in Christ,

Joseph Dias, The CSF Gen. Sec.

+91 9769555657

New Delhi, February 2, 2015: Vandals attacked a Catholic Church in south Delhi early on Monday, the fifth attack on a Christian place of worship in the city within two months.

The attackers broke open the main gate of St Alphonsa’s Church in the Vasant Kunj area and entered the sacristy, before opening the tabernacle and scattering the host, Delhi archdiocese spokesman Father Savarimuthu Shankar told ucanews.com.

The attack comes five days before state assembly elections in the nation’s capital. Church officials believe this and the four previous attacks are part of a campaign to polarize the Christian community.

They refused however to blame any political party or religious group citing a lack of proof.

“These attacks are definitely aimed at polarizing the community before state assembly elections but we cannot blame any political party until we have evidence,” Fr Shankar said.

Police however dismissed the claim, saying the motive behind Monday’s incident was probably theft.

“It is simply a case of robbery. We have filed a case and investigation is on,” Virendra Jain, area police officer, told ucanews.com.

The Christian community has seen a spate of attacks since December 1 when St Sebastian Church in the Dilshad Garden area of the city was allegedly torched.

A few days later rocks were thrown at a Catholic Church in Jasola district, causing minor damage.

A crib for a Nativity scene was found burned earlier this month at a church in Rohini district, while on January 14, a Catholic church was attacked and its grotto smashed by three unidentified men.

So far police have arrested three people in connection with the January 14 incident.

Fr Shankar said the Christian community planned to hold a candle light vigil on Monday evening to protest against the St Alphonsa Church attack.

He also said authorities have done nothing since Church officials spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee about the earlier attacks.

“It is getting very disturbing now. The community is left with no option but to come out on streets and protest,” he said.

- ucanews

CBCI issues pastoral letter in face of threats to the community

New Delhi, 2015: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has issued a “pastoral letter” to all its dioceses urging followers to be steadfast in their faith and continue to uphold the secular democratic nature of India.

The letter, that came after incidents of ‘ghar wapsi’ (home coming) and attacks on minorities across the country, is to be translated in all languages and read out in Catholic churches.

In the letter, CBCI President Cardinal Baselios Cleemis said, “We are not fighting against any political party but for sacred ideals of our nation like freedom of religion, freedom of consciences, fundamental rights, and democracy as guaranteed by our noble Constitution”.

Listing a slew of measures to be adopted at the diocesan and parish level to help the laity keep faith in the face of such threats, the Cardinal urged the Prime Minister to “intervene urgently and take appropriate action to stop incidents that pose a big threat to the unity of this secular nation and put an end to the statements made by the responsible persons in the central ministry and of the party”.

The letter points out that Christianity has its roots in India for almost 2,000 years and asserts that the “recent controversies in the name of religious reconversions portray a negative image of India”.

The Cardinal has also sought to draw a distinction between “conversions of a religious nature” and ‘ghar wapsi’. While the former is an exercise of one’s free will and a fundamental right, ‘ghar wapsi’, according to him, is “a political process carried out by the powerful exponents of religious nationalism – much against the principle of secularism.’

- the hindu

Dalit IAS officer explores law to preach Christianity

Chennai, 2015: Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer C. Umashankar is looking at legal options to challenge a government directive forbidding him from preaching Christianity.

“I am looking at legal options. I have to discuss with my lawyers first,” Umashankar told IANS Wednesday.

According to him, the government’s directive suppresses his constitutional right to speech and freedom to practice and preach religion.

The Tamil Nadu government recently ordered Umashankar to stop addressing meetings where he preaches Christianity, as it would result in communal disharmony and disturb the public order.

The government warned him of disciplinary action if he failed to abide by its directive.

Umashankar said he has stopped addressing meetings following the government directive.

Questions are also being raised by Dalit organisations as to whether Umashankar, a Dalit, has converted to Christianity and, if so, when and where.

“Umashankar has not spelt out clearly whether he has officially converted to Christianity,” Tada D. Periyasamy, a Dalit leader and founder trustee of Nandanar Sevashrama Trust, told IANS over phone from Perambalur, around 280 km from here, Wednesday.

“Conversion to Christianity is a non-issue. I am disciple of Christ. As per official records I am a Hindu,” Umashankar said, adding that he practices Christianity.

Periyasamy said Umashankar, a Dalit by birth and in a high position, can preach Christianity after getting converted to that faith.

“But being a Hindu IAS officer and preaching Christianity is not right. It is bad for the Dalit community,” Periyasamy said.

- ucan