Kandhamal pastors come together for riot victims

(July 22, 2010) Catholic and Protestant priests along with other Christian leaders in Kandhamal, Orissa, India met on Monday seeking ways to further help the victims of Hindu fanatic violence that hit the district two years ago. “We cannot allow the people affected by the violence to live in slums,” said Catholic Father Sisirkanta Sabhanayak, who noted that many of the violence-displaced people have still not found a real home. Launched by Hindu extremists, the wave of violence killed 93 people in 2008. More than 6,500 houses were burnt or plundered and some 350 churches and 45 educational facilities were destroyed besides displacing some 50,000 people, many of whom are still homeless. “For some, it would be the third year without a proper roof over their head, right on the eve of the monsoon season,” Father Sabhanayak said. He added that the meeting Nuagam town brought together local Protestant and Catholic clergymen as well as missionaries and community leaders. “We stand by our persecuted brothers and sisters to protect and serve them,” the Priest said, adding that our Churches “have been making efforts to rebuild the district and they have put all our energies and all our resources in relief, renovation and reconstruction.”