Verghese V Joseph –
Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and the Archbishop of Trichur met the Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah at Nedumbasserry in Kerala On Sunday, and expressed anxieties of the Christians in India in the background of the challenges and problems faced by them in some parts of India. The attacks in Manipur were specially mentioned.
According to the CBCI release, the Home Minister gave a patient hearing to Archbishop Thazhath, Fr Renny Mundenkurian and Fr Alex Maprani and explained his mission in Manipur and in the North East for peace. When the Archbishop mentioned about some concrete incidents, especially in some parts of Madhya Pradesh, he assured that he will look into it and will do the necessary for the good of the Christians and all the citizens, the release added.
Besides, there were also discussions about the contributions of Christians in nation building, especially in education, health care and social service. The Home Minister was briefed about the recent problems faced by some of the Christian institutions. He assured that he will do whatever is possible to solve them. The meeting lasted for about half an hour.
The Catholic church in India runs over a mammoth 25,000 schools and colleges and looks after 85,000 beds in Catholic-run hospitals across the country, several of them in the remote locations. It also takes pride in more than 5000 registered NGOs catering to the basic needs of over 5 million poor and marginalised people annually.
CBCI’s position comes as a stark contrast in light of a recent statement in April by the Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church that the minority Christians were safe in India under the present ruling dispensation. Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is also part of CBCI.
Meanwhile, the Centre has notified a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, chaired by Justice Ajai Lamba, former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court with Himanshu Shekhar Das, IAS (Retd.) and Aloka Prabhakar, IPS (Retd.) as members to inquire into the incidents of violence in the state of Manipur on May 3 and thereafter.
The Commission shall make inquiry with respect to the causes and spread of the violence, which took place in Manipur, and whether there were any lapses on the part of any of the responsible authorities or individuals.
Amit Shah had visited the state of Manipur during 29th May 2023 to 1st June 2023 and after taking stock of the situation had announced appointment of Commission of Inquiry.
The Commission shall submit its report to the Central Government as soon as possible but not later than six months from the date of its first sitting. The headquarters of the Commission shall be at the capital city of Imphal.
Cardinal Alencherry says Christians are safe in BJP rule while CBCI has opposite stand.It shows syro malabar church and catholic church have different views.It is because the authorities are appointed by Vatican if they have enough backing at Rome.The spirit filled believer getting such place is a history.This politics is seen by laity and we see in each parish these pressure politics is coming from the top. The leaders either make or destroy the people.No wonder people are losing trust in ministerial priesthood symbolising the voice of Christ. I have seen Bishops taking side of their own language speaking people.When the Spirit is lost then regionality culture language becomes dominant.