KCBC Jagratha Commission condemns attack on Catholic priests in Odisha, urges immediate government action
The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Jagratha Commission has issued a strong statement condemning the brutal assault on two Catholic priests, including a 90-year-old Malayali priest, in Sambalpur district, Odisha.
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 23 at a boys' hostel in Charbatiya, where assailants allegedly broke into the priests' residence, tied them up, physically assaulted them for several hours, and looted the premises. The attackers reportedly issued threats, warning the priests to vacate the area or face further violence. The students of the hostel were on vacation at the time of the attack.
In a statement issued by the Commission, Chairman Bishop Dr. Yuhanon Mar Theodosius condemned the attack and expressed concern over what he described as a "deliberate, targeted action driven by religious extremism." The statement also alleged that authorities initially failed to respond effectively, accusing them of adopting a stance that shielded the perpetrators despite public outrage.
The Commission highlighted the longstanding contributions of Catholic religious communities and missionaries in Odisha's tribal and rural regions, particularly in the fields of healthcare and education. It noted that over 1.2 million Christians reside in Odisha, many of them economically disadvantaged, and emphasized the need to protect their constitutional and human rights.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Kerala Latin Catholic Association announces protest meetings to condemn attacks on Christians in India
Kochi: The Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) announced statewide protest meetings on June 8 to condemn atrocities against Christians across India. Leaders of the association on Sunday met with 90-year-old Fr Leenus Puthanveetil who was attacked in Odisha. He is currently under treatment at a hospital in Manjummal. The association also released a video of the priest describing the atrocities he faced. The priest said that he was attacked by assailants at night while he was sleeping. The attackers put a knife to his neck before slapping him and tying him up. He added that his fellow priest was brutally beaten up by the attackers in front of him. In a statement, Joseph Jude, spokesperson for the Latin Catholic community, said that the attack faced by priests in Sambalpur was condemnable. He mentioned that the priests were working amongst the poor in Odisha and the attackers even targeted an elderly priest like Fr Leenus.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Cong will defend Christians against attacks: Satheesan
Kochi: Christian priests in Odisha were attacked by the same people who visit homes in Kerala with cakes during Christmas and Easter. The Congress will put up a defence in places where Christians are being attacked on a regular basis, opposition leader V D Satheesan told reporters in Kochi on Sunday after visiting the priests who were attacked in Odisha. He said shocking details about the attack in Odisha were revealed by the Catholic priests from Kerala. A large group broke open doors, brutally assaulted the priest, looted belongings, and even viciously attacked a 90-year-old priest, Satheesan said. "Fr Leenus was tied up and beaten before being locked in a room. Fr Silvi was also beaten after being tied up. After an hour and a half, the priests tried to untie themselves and open the door but in vain. It was a nearby temple priest who heard the noise and rescued them," Satheesan said. This is not an isolated incident. Widespread attacks are occurring in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Ahmedabad, and Chhattisgarh, he added. The govt has reportedly instructed looters to target all Christian institutions within two months, Satheesan said. Police have taken a stance that nothing can be done even if complaints are filed. "Priests are being attacked by Bajrang Dal activists and organizations connected to Sangh Parivar. Nationwide attacks against Christians are increasing. The bishop of Jabalpur stated that attacks are happening every day. Even nuns on tourist visits are being attacked under the pretext of religious conversion," Satheesan said. Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, Ernakulam MLA T J Vinod and DCC president Muhammed Shiyas accompanied Satheesan while visiting the priests at a private hospital in Kochi.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Congress urges Odisha CM to set up SIT to probe assault against Catholic priests
The Congress on Sunday demanded to set up a special investigation team to probe the alleged assault on two Catholic priests, including a 90-year-old Keralite, in Sambalpur district of Odisha . AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal sent a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging him to set up a SIT to probe the reported incident. The assault allegedly happened in the early hours of May 23 at a boys hostel in that state. This is the latest incident in a series of attacks against Christians in BJP-ruled states , Venugopal alleged in a statement issued here. The Alappuzha MP said it is unfortunate that such violence is becoming a recurring story in the state. Live Events The incident of the priests being brutally assaulted in a boys hostel was a blow to human conscience, he alleged. Urging the Odisha government to take stringent action against the culprits in the incident, the AICC general secretary said such violence not only violates the fundamental rights of individuals but also threatens the communal harmony and peace that our country values. In a letter to the Odisha CM , K C Venugopal also requested that the constitutional rights of Christian priests and employees be protected. Immediate steps should be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, he urged in the letter. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan also strongly condemned the incident. He also visited the assaulted priests at a private hospital in Manjummel in Ernakulam district on Sunday. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
