Church in India suffers arson attack

An attack on a church in India has prompted the parish priest, Father John Felix, to make an official complaint to state authorities.

In the latest incident at the end of August, attackers targeting Mother Mary Church in Hyderabad, central India, set fire to the main altar, Bibles, missals, hymnals, crucifixes and liturgical vestments.

In the letter, a copy of which has been made available to Aid to the Church in Need, the priest complained that proceedings relating to attacks perpetrated in the years 2004 and 2008 had been closed by the police with no action being taken.


In July 2004, a 100-strong mob abused and threatened to kill a priest and parishioners helping while the church was being built.

In July 2008, two years after the church had been completed, 250 people – including infants, the sick and elderly – were made to suffer when the building was locked from the outside.

Father Felix stated: “In order to avoid further conflicts… we practised forgiveness and love of enemies.”

Listen to the full interview with the Press Officer for Aid to the Church in Need, John Pontifex: