Church leaders slam attacks on Christians in Manipur and North India

Church leaders slammed the attacks on Christian communities in Manipur and North India, and called for a united stand against divisive forces that seek to terrorise people in the name of religion and race.

Church leaders on March 29 slammed the attacks on Christian communities in Manipur and North India, and called for a united stand against divisive forces that seek to terrorise people in the name of religion and race.

Archbishop Thomas J. Netto of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram underscored the need to fight and defeat narrow-minded approaches expressed through legislations such as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Dark forces are unleashing violence upon Christians in Manipur and North India, yet there is no effective intervention on the part of the authorities, he said.

Archbishop Netto was addressing the faithful after a Way of the Cross procession jointly organised by Christian denominations in State capital Thiruvananthapuram as part of the Good Friday observance.

Church leaders have come out strongly against the attacks on Christians at a time when election campaigns in Kerala have picked up pace in the run-up to the April 26 Lok Sabha election.

Archbishop Netto said the need to adopt a strong stance against such disruptive forces should be clearly understood. “We should make good use of the opportunity to clearly express our opinion,” he said.

He also urged Christian denominations to stand united to fight for minority rights, and the freedoms of religion and expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

Thomas Tharayil, Auxiliary Bishop of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabar Church), urged caution against forces that attempt to terrorise the people in the name of religion and race.