India's Catholics set aside a day to honor victims of Orissa violence
August 20, 2010
On August 29, Catholics in India will observe a “Day for Indian Martyrs” to commemorate the victims of the religious violence that erupted in the state of Orissa in August 2008.
Bishop Anil Cuto, the head of the Indian bishops’ ecumenical commission, urged other Christian groups to join in the observance. He explained that the purpose of the day is not to declare saints—which, he observed, involves a different process—but to honor those who died and “preserve their suffering an sacrifice as a heritage of the Christians.”
The observance could also increase public awareness of the anti-Christian pogroms in Orissa, Church officials noted, and stimulate efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
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!
