Another Indian Catholic Murdered

I have several Hindu acquaintances, and all are good people who try to live lives that we Christians would probably say are reflective of Gospel values. They are kind and charitable and honest. Of course, they all live here in the United States, in a largely secular society where they are a distinct minority. I suspect being a Hindu in India is a vastly different experience. And so it's hard for me to understand that in India Hindu extremists -- or as they are sometimes labeled, radical Hindu fundamentalists -- have been waging a kind of religious war against Christians who make up only a tiny minority of India's huge population. This persecution, which has been going on for years now, seems to be directed particularly at Indian Catholics and has been especially harsh in the Indian state of Orissa, a poor state located on the Bay of Bengal, south of Calcutta.

Orissa Christian Refugees

Interestingly, while attention has occasionally been focused on persecution of Christians in Muslim countries, there seems to be little media interest in what has been taking place in the nation often called, "the world's largest democracy." Just to give you an idea of the harshness of the persecution, in one six-month period in 2008 six Orissa Catholics were killed, 5,000 were left homeless, and 70 churches, 600 homes, six convents, and three seminaries were destroyed. In other parts of India nuns have been attacked by mobs accusing them of forcing conversions and hundreds of other acts of aggression and anti-Christian persecution have been aimed at Christians. The parliament of the state of Rajasthan passed an anti-conversion law that calls for a five-year prison term and a 50,000 rupee fine (over $1,000) for anyone who converts others "by force, coercion, or fraud." Like similar laws in six other states, it is, of course, aimed at Christians.

This persecution by Hindus has continued virtually unchecked by local governments that too often look the other way or fail to investigate thoroughly. The latest instance involves the disappearance and suspected murder of Angad Digal, a Catholic in Orissa who local authorities say was murdered on March 10th when traveling in the company of two Hindu acquaintances. His family and others have been searching for his body without success. Although one of the two men suspected in Digal's death has been arrested, a local Catholic priest has accused the police of dragging their feet.

It's all very sad and says a lot about the true state of Indian democracy. It should also awaken the majority of Hindus who respect the religious rights of others and their freedom to worship. When are they going to call on their government to put a stop to this often savage persecution?

Pray for our brothers and sisters in faith who continue to respond courageously and charitably while living under such persecution.

For more information, click here: Christian Persecution in India and Catholic Online