Catholic Church in Kanyakumari, India Desecrated

(September 27, 2008) A statue of Mary was found damaged in the morning of September 25 at the Karavillai church of Kottar Diocese here. Consequent to the sporadic violence on churches in various parts of the country, the violence has now spread to the southernmost corner of the country where the Christian population is dense. The faithful of the parish found the glass panes of a case encasing the statue of Mary broken. The right arm of the statue was badly damaged. Police officials sealed the area and wrapped the statue in clothes. Kanyakumari district has more than 50 percent Christians of various denominations. In the meantime Religious Leaders have called for the end of Violence against Christians. Christian leaders and representatives of other faiths in the national capital September 25 urged all citizens of goodwill to stand up and speak for the beleaguered and bleeding Christian community. The community is organising a 7-days sit-in at Jantar Mantar from September 26, which will culminate at Raj Ghat. People of all religions but particularly the Christians from all over Delhi and NCR will gather at Jantar Mantar everyday round the clock. On October 2, on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a procession will be taken out at 2 p.m. from Jantar Mantar to Raj Ghat. Political and religious leaders will present their views on these days. September 27 morning at 10, the sit-in will be inaugurated by former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda.