Upcoming verdict on religious site worrying

(September 23, 2010) Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal has asked Catholics in Madhya Pradesh to pray as the nation awaits a court judgment on the ownership over a controversial religious site. The head of the Church in the state sent text messages to priests, Religious and lay leaders asking for their prayers as media reported on tense situations in some areas. The Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh has set September 24 to pronounce its verdict on the ownership of a plot of land in the state’s Ayodhya town, where a disputed 16th century mosque stood. Hindu zealots demolished it in December 1992, sparking off nation wide Hindu-Muslim riots. Protracted legal battles continued over the ownership of the land. Hindus, who consider Ayodhya the birthplace of a Hindu deity, Lord Ram, say Muslim ruler Babur demolished a temple there in order to build a mosque. Several state governments have reportedly beefed up security in sensitive areas. “This situation is extraordinary and we need to join the government efforts for maintaining peace in the state and in the country,” said Archbishop Cornelio. He has sent text messages as there was “no time” to send out a pastoral letter to Religious and laity. The Christian community all over India has been praying for peace and harmony.