Saturday, September 27, 2008

Indian Christians - photos of persecution and death in Orissa


You are being invited to pray on behalf
the christian churches in Orissa, State of India


Screenshot by João Cruzué
"From December 24, 2007 till January 2, 2008, attacks in Kandhamal district killed at least four Christians and destroyed over 100 churches and 730 Christian homes. Most of the victims were Dalits, formerly known as untouchables.

The latest persecution began when Lakshmanananda Saraswati, a Hindu swami and VHP leader, was killed by unknown assailants on August 23, 2008. Leaders from VPH - "Vishwa Hindu Parishad" a fundamentalist Hindu association, publicly blamed Christians and mobs attacked against them in, at least, 12 of 30 districts in the Eastern state of Orissa. Christian leaders reported, as of Sept. 3, 2008, at least 4,014 Christian homes destroyed in 300 villages, an estimated 50,000 people displaced, two pastors and 24 other Christians killed, one nun gang raped, and over a hundred churches burned.

On Thursday, September 4, 2008, India’s Supreme Court instructed the Orissa government to control the violence, and the Orissa authorities promised to halt a procession by the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad or World Hindu Council) on Sept. 7, 2008. However, VHP leaders told Indian journalist they still planned to hold the “Shraad Yatra” on the 16th day of the swami’s death, a traditional funeral rite performed by Hindu sadhus. Previously, Christian leaders from all major denominations and church networks called for a day of prayer and fasting across India on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008.
"


Photo: AICC
Orissa 12
Body of Pastor Dibya Sundars

Photo: AICC

Orissa 11
Burnt Holy Bibles

Photo: AICC

Orissa 9
Sister Namrata - teenager with second grade burnts

Photo: AICC

Orissa 8
Christian church destroyed

Photo: AICC

Orissa 10
Brother Sudhir and two Evangelists

Photo: AICC

Orissa  4
Burnt Church

Photo: AICC

Orissa  1
Another burnt church

Photo: AICC

Orissa 11
Sister Lydia and son , Pastor Akbar Digal widow and orphan

foto: AICC

Orissa 13
Families are hiding and living in the jungle

foto: AICC
Orissa  5
Christian goods and vehicle burnt

foto: AICC

Orissa  3
A christian home destroyed by fire

Orissa  2
Another vehicle burnt

SLIDES:
Images of christian persecution in Kandhamal - Orissa- India
Hit any photo and select slide presentation

let's keep praying for Orissa christians in India


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