Msgr. Mathew Vaniakizhakkel, emeritus bishop of Satna and five other Catholics including two priests, a nun and two lay people have been exonerated from the false charges of forced conversion after a trial that lasted 8 long years for the conversion of a Hindu woman Monica Ibrahim during her wedding, as alleged by Christopher Pavy, a local Christian.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has decreed that “there is no obvious evidence for the defendants” demonstrating a violation of the anti-conversion law in force in the Indian state. The decree was issued on 20 April. After the condemnation, the police prosecuted the trail in spite of the testification in favor of the defendants by the woman and her brother, Nand Kishore. The emeritus bishop reported that “the woman is the daughter of Catholic parents, therefore a Christian by birth, and her marriage took place regularly and was celebrated in the cathedral.” Msgr. Vaniakizhakkel states, “This was a case of revenge of a particular person, who later repented made his confession and received Holy Communion. Additionally, he even offered Mass for my good health” as told to AsiaNews.
Mar Mathew Vaniakizhakkel was designated as the second Eparch of Satna on 14 January 2000 and was sanctified on 12 April 2000. He completed 14 years leading the Eparchy as a devout bishop and pastor and relinquished his office as the bishop of Satna on 27 August 2014.
Source: asianews.it
