Cathedral set ablaze in central India; forced Hindu conversions in Orissa
September 19, 2008
In the central Indian diocese of Jabalpur, where Catholics form only 0.3% of the population, two men set fire to the 150-year-old cathedral and caused irreparable damage to the altar. In Orissa, where the current wave of persecution began, reports are emerging of forced conversions of Christians to Hinduism.
In the Karnataka state, Christians enjoyed a mild reprieve as government officials said that they would not take action against the administrator of Christian schools who closed down the institutions on August 29 to protest the violence against their fellow Christians in Orisssa. Although the state government accused the Christian institutions of 'violating the norms,' Church officials pointed out the state law provides discretionary power to'private educational institutions to declare 5 holidays in a year.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Jabalpur Cathedral set afire, fanatics suspected (ICNS)
- Parishes empty as Christians forced to become Hindus in Orissa (UCAN)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
