Church in Orissa working to remove fear and suspicion after anti-Christian violence

(Sept.22,2010) The Church in eastern India’s Orissa State is working to remove fear and suspicion in people, two years after anti-Christian violence broke out leaving 93 people dead, said Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack Bhubaneswar. The prelate told AsiaNews that on the International Day of Peace, September 21, people from different religious backgrounds took part in joint activities in Khandhamal, to promote inter-faith dialogue between Christians and Hindus. For this purpose, he said the Church is setting up leadership teams, whose members are open-minded and big-hearted and include members from other communities.
Fr. Bijaya Kumar Pradhan, who oversees the peace process in Kandhamal said “In parishes across Kandhamal District, the International Day of Peace has thus provided an opportunity for activities, like sports and games, with people from various communities. The priest stressed that all need to be supportive of peace initiatives and work together because peace is the primary objective of all our endeavours. Reconciliation is possible only with everyone’s support, he added.
Between December 2007 and August 2008, Hindu extremists attacked Christians in Kandhamal District. A total of 93 people were killed and 6,500 homes were looted and then set on fire. More than 350 churches met the same fate, as did 45 schools. Most of the people responsible for the deadly violence are still free. Witnesses who could testify at their trial in the Kandhamal courthouse have been silenced through threats and intimidation.