CHRISTIAN VIEW: September 2008

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

Screenshot by João Cruzué

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"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."

All India Christian Council

Photo: AICC