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Hindustan Times
09-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Catholic groups slam Odisha mob violence
The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and the Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala on Friday protested strongly against the alleged mob attack on two Catholic priests, two nuns and a catechist in Balasore district of Odisha on Wednesday. Catholic groups slam Odisha mob violence According to the Church, the attack on the Christian group was led by members of Bajrang Dal, an affiliate of the Sangh Parivar, in Jaleswar on false suspicions of illegal religious conversions in the area. Mar Andrews Thazhath, metropolitan archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church in Thrissur, told reporters on Friday that the attack on the group comprising priests and nuns took place while the latter were returning after taking part in a special mass organised in connection with the deaths of two church members in the area. 'The group comprised Fr Lijo Palakkaran and Fr Jijo, both of them natives of Kerala, two nuns and a local catechist. They had gone to Jaleshwar for the special mass as well as to discuss the jubilee celebrations of the local parish. So you can understand how old the Catholic congregation there is. After the function ended at 9 pm, the catechist departed on a two-wheeler followed by the priests and nuns in a car. A few kilometres away, the catechist was stopped by members of an extremist group. They took away his cell-phone, deflated the bike's tyres, tore his shirt and hurled verbal abuses,' said Thazhath. 'The vehicle containing the priests and nuns were also stopped by the mob. They were accused of conducting illegal religious conversions. The priests faced extreme verbal attacks from the mob. The incident shows how democracy and secularism are under threat in this country,' added Thazhath, who is also the president of the CBCI. Meanwhile, Sujata Jena, nun of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Odisha, said attacking someone based on religious attire is a violation of constitutional rights, human dignity, and a punishable offence. 'In Odisha, Christians are denied burials, forced to renounce faith, detained on false charges, and physically assaulted. Tribal villagers now demand 'ghar wapsi,' or reconversion, for burial permission; a cruel exchange of faith for dignity in death,' she said.
New Indian Express
02-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh: Rajeev Chandrasekhar meets Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath
THRISSUR: BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday visited Thrissur Archbishop and president of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), Mar Andrews Thazhath, and assured all support for the release of two Malayali nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mar Thazhath said this was not the first case of arrest involving nuns. There should be a mechanism to ensure justice for the nuns who conduct social work and charity. He added that the Church welcomed the support extended by all, irrespective of political inclinations. Minority rights should be protected across the country, he said. 'The BJP has been following up the case since the moment it was brought to our notice. Judiciary and the legal system will take their own time. But, it is assured that the Chhattisgarh government would not oppose the nuns' bail plea when it comes up before the court. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had personally communicated it to me, and I visited Mar Andrews Thazhath to communicate this to him,' Rajeev said. It was a misunderstanding which led to the arrest of the nuns, he said. Two nuns Vandana Francis and Preeta Mary were arrested by Durg police as they were accompanied by tribal girls from Chhattisgarh. They were accused of human trafficking and conversion. However, it is reported that the girls were taken out of their homes for jobs with their consent as they were above 18 years and with their parents' knowledge. The girls follow Christian faith. However, while taking human resources from Chhattisgarh, agents or employers are supposed to register it on a portal even if it is within the state. 'In this case, this registration was not done,' he added.
Hans India
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Nuns arrest due to ‘misunderstanding', will be released soon: BJP state chief
Thrissur (Kerala): BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh over allegations of human trafficking and forced conversion was due to a 'misunderstanding' and that they will be released on bail soon. Chandrasekhar made the statement after meeting with Archbishop of Trichur Andrews Thazhath, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), to brief him that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have assured the nuns would be released on bail. The BJP state president said that both the PM and HM assured him that the state government will not oppose the bail pleas of the nuns. 'It is a judicial process. Let it happen. I only want to say that don't politicise the issue. We are not seeing it as politics. We are only trying to help the people. This was a misunderstanding,' he contended. Chandrasekhar said that there is a law regulating private placement agencies in Chhattisgarh which requires that young women moving from one district to another for jobs have to register on a portal. 'That was not done. Hence, the misunderstanding and the subsequent police action,' he said. Meanwhile, Archbishop Thazhath, after the meeting with the BJP state chief, told reporters the church wants the nuns to be released on bail during the day. He said it was 'painful' to hear about the action taken against the nuns. The Archbishop also said he informed Chandrasekhar about the increasing attacks on the Christian community in the country and the need to ensure their security. Nuns Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis along with Sukaman Mandavi were arrested at Durg railway station on July 25 following a complaint by a local Bajrang Dal functionary who accused them of forcibly converting three girls from Narayanpur and trafficking them.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nuns arrest due to 'misunderstanding'; they will get bail soon: Rajeev Chandrasekhar
BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh over allegations of human trafficking and forced conversion were due to a "misunderstanding" and that they will be released on bail soon. Chandrasekhar made the statement after meeting with Archbishop of Trichur Andrews Thazhath, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), to brief him that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have assured the nuns would be released on bail. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category PGDM Leadership Design Thinking Cybersecurity Public Policy CXO Technology Management Operations Management Others Product Management others Artificial Intelligence MCA Healthcare MBA Finance Project Management Degree Data Science Data Science healthcare Digital Marketing Data Analytics Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details The BJP state president said that both the PM and HM assured him that the state government will not oppose the bail pleas of the nuns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo "It is a judicial process. Let it happen. I only want to say that don't politicise the issue. We are not seeing it as politics. We are only trying to help the people. This was a misunderstanding," he contended. Chandrasekhar said that there is a law regulating private placement agencies in Chhattisgarh which requires that young women moving from one district to another for jobs have to register on a portal. Live Events "That was not done. Hence, the misunderstanding and the subsequent police action," he said. Meanwhile, Archbishop Thazhath, after the meeting with the BJP state chief, told reporters the church wants the nuns to be released on bail during the day. He said it was "painful" to hear about the action taken against the nuns. The Archbishop also said he informed Chandrasekhar about the increasing attacks on the Christian community in the country and the need to ensure their security. Nuns Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis along with Sukaman Mandavi were arrested at Durg railway station on July 25 following a complaint by a local Bajrang Dal functionary who accused them of forcibly converting three girls from Narayanpur and trafficking them.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Patna churches, missionary schools to mourn Pope Francis with special prayers
1 2 3 Patna: The Bishop House cancelled a scheduled dinner at Governor House on Easter Monday after the death of Pope Francis was announced in the morning. Parishes, Catholic schools and other Church-run institutions across the city will hold special assemblies and prayer services on Tuesday to mourn the death of the pontiff. The Christian minority educational institutions will remain closed on the day of the funeral as a mark of respect and mourning. According to Patna archbishop Sebastian Kallupura, a period of national mourning will be observed in all dioceses and ecclesiastical jurisdictions across the country for nine days, as per a communique shared by Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI). A holy mass will be held in every parish, institution and religious house in remembrance of the Pope and in communion with the universal church on Tuesday as well as the day of the funeral. Father Selvin Xavier, SJ, parish priest of Queen of Apostles Church, Kurji, said, "We deeply mourn the death of our beloved Pope Francis, the tallest leader and loving shepherd of the Catholics all over the world. We are eternally grateful for his leadership and him being the voice of courage and wisdom amidst the chaos of the world today. He cared for the poor and the migrants. He was a simple man with high thinking who chose to live in simple quarters rather than the papal palace. He was a people's Pope who was loved and celebrated beyond the Catholic Church. Pope Francis left a legacy that will continue to speak about his efforts for the renewal of the Catholic Church and a voice of god." Eric de Rozario, vice-principal of Don Bosco Academy, said a special prayer and assembly will be held in the school on Tuesday when the Pope's contribution to the world and humanity will be recounted. Similarly, a prayer service will be held at St Michael's High School on Tuesday. Principal Fr A Christu Savarirajan said that students, teachers and all staff will pay tribute to Pope Francis during the morning assembly.
