Indian Catholic bishop attacked, beaten

India’s minority Christian community has come under attack again, and this time it is a Catholic bishop who is the victim.  Matters India news website on Thursday quoted the Federation of Telugu Churches (FTC), saying Bishop Prasad Gallela of Cuddapah was attacked by unidentified persons when he was returning from a religious function at Karunagari in Kadapa district.   The incident took place on April 25 but was made public only on Thursday.  

“It is unbelievable that such a violent atrocity is perpetrated on a high ranking religious leader of a minority community,” said Archbishop Thumma Bala of Hyderabad, the president of FTC, the apex body of various Christian denominations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states‎.   Bishop Gallela and his car driver were “blind folded, forcibly confined and brutally attacked for several hours stretching through the night,” Arcbishop Bala said.  He condemned “the ruthless manner” of attack on a religious person who has “fully devoted his whole life to God and is totally dedicated to the service of the needy and marginalized.”  Archbishop Bala also appealed to police and law enforcement authorities to probe the case and arrest those responsible for “the heinous crime so that safety and security of minorities can be ensured and lives of leaders of religious communities be protected.”  Fifty-four year old Bishop Gallela has been heading Cuddapah Diocese since 2008.  (Source: Matters India)