After ten years of the Odisha massacres, the Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar called on the faithful to take part in the solemn Mass on 25 August, at St Joseph Convent School in Bhubaneswar. His Excellency Msgr John Barwa said that “Christians have no enmity towards anyone but their fight for justice continues. The local Church is always close to the victims”. In August 2008, members of the Vishnu Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu nationalist group, carried out the worst massacre in modern India. About 5,600 houses were destroyed, 415 villages were looted, 56,000 Christians were forced to flee, almost 300 churches as well as convents, schools, hostels and offices were destroyed. At least 91 people were killed.
As reported by Asianews.it, Msgr John remarked that “Ten years ago, what happened in Kandhamal, Odisha should have never happened and should never ever happen again. We recall with greatest pain and agony the barbaric events that occurred particularly in 2008. The inhuman attack on innocent people caught unaware in the middle of the night of August 25, 2008 will always remain a black spot in the history of the traditionally peace-loving people of Odisha and Independent India. What was heartbreaking that the massacre of the innocents continued unabated for months. The attackers snuffed out human lives, destroyed and demolished churches, homes, schools, hospitals, dispensaries, offices, and centers working for the uplift and development of the poor and marginalized people especially the tribals, Dalits, Other Backward Classes and others. Women and young girls were gang raped and thousands had to flee to the jungles in fear and despair.” Further, the Archbishop added, “The people of Odisha however want to turn over a new leaf and want a renewed society filled with peace and social harmony. The Christian community believes in a God who is the God of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. We remember even after ten years how much harm hatred and anger can do to our society. We wish to remember what happened so that it never happens again. We have no enmity towards anyone. We believe like the Apostle St. Paul that “trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged, we are left without answer, but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed”, (2Cor. 4:8-9).”
The Archbishop concluded his remarks by highlighting that “We take this opportunity to thank the Government of Odisha which has shown commitment to work for the growth and progress of everyone irrespective of caste, creed and color. We hope and pray that complete relief be granted to those who are still seeking it.”
Source: www.asianews.it
