India: Bishops lament police inaction as armed robbery increases

August 05, 2009

Bishops in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand are lamenting the failure of police to act against a rise in robberies that target Church institutions.

“Church establishments have become soft targets for the miscreants,” observed Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi, who says that two such robberies are taking place every week. Bishop Paul Alois Lakra of Gumla says that armed robbers typically strike at night, and “the nuns in remote places spend sleepless nights fearing attacks on their modesty.”

Jharkhand borders the state of Orissa, where a wave of anti-Christian persecution left 50,000 homeless.

 

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Further information:

• Bishops seek governor's help to end church robberies (UCAN)