Advertisements ad

October 12, 2008

Local Christians call for religious freedom in India

By Kristin Peterson

CONTRIBUTOR

The violence against Christians far away in India hits home here in Chicago. Several hundred Indian-American Christians gathered at the Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral in Bellwood on Sept. 28 to raise awareness about the Christians murdered and terrorized in the Indian state of Orissa over the past month. Hindu extremist mobs have murdered Christians, vandalized churches, destroyed homes and burned convents, orphanages and schools.

Christians from several denominations gathered outside the church not to cry for revenge but to plea for an end to the violence and a restoration of peace in the region.

Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago and representatives from the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) organized the rally.

The violence in India began after the murder of Hindu monk, Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, on Aug. 23. Law enforcement officials blamed a group of Maoists rebels, but Hindu extremists blamed Christians for the murder. Rebels have killed Christians, including priests and nuns. Churches, convents, orphanages, schools and houses have been destroyed, forcing Christians to flee to refugee camps or forests for protection.

On Aug. 27, Pope Benedict condemned this ongoing violence in Orissa, which has affected thousands of Christians including the Eastern Rite Catholics from the Syro-Malabar church.

Organizers hoped that this Chicago rally would raise awareness about this violence. “We are here today because we Christians are being persecuted throughout India,” said Eipe Varghese, a member of St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India in Melrose Park. “We want to send some message to the president and prime minister of India.”

The goal is to get international leaders, especially leaders in the United State, to pressure the central government of India to intervene and protect the Christians.

“The central government [of India] remains a silent observer of this atrocious cruelty,” said Father George Madathiparampil, vicar general of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago and the coordinator of this rally. “We have to raise our voices for the sake of these helpless victims — our brothers and sisters.”

After a brief prayer service, several representatives from various churches stood on the steps of the cathedral and addressed the crowd. Many speakers emphasized the importance of freedom of religion, which is written into the Indian constitution. Even though Christians are a small minority, around 2 percent of the population in India, they usually are able to practice their faith without fear.

“We have been living together for years and years,” said Bishop Angadiath of the religious relations in India.

But lately there is a backlash against Christians for political reasons. Some fear that the Christians are gaining too much education and advancement in society. Others say that the Christians use strong conversion tactics.

Christian groups are also involved in helping the poor and providing education in India. “They are serving the people; they are helping the needy people; they are teaching the people,” he said.

During the rally people held signs saying things like “All Christians are united for peace” and “Minorities have rights to live in India.”

“India is a land of Mahatma Gandhi, tolerance and non-violence,” said Divine Word Father Richard Vaz, who used to minister in Orissa, who added that a small Hindu faction is causing this destruction in India. “I ask our Hindu brethren who are peace-loving to rise up and condemn this,” he added.

Gwayne and Gail Rego are sisters whose family is from the area in India affected by this violence. Gail said that at first her family was angry about the violence but now they are just filled with sadness.

The Rego sisters, members of St. Bernardine Catholic Church in Forest Park, also spoke about the need for peace and not revenge. “We don’t believe in violence; we believe in forgiveness,” Gail said.

Gwayne thought the rally was a way to spread the word about this tragedy. “We want our voices to be heard, to spread it across the media and to our friends,” she said. “I don’t think that people are aware that this is happening.”