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: