ARCHBISHOP . A M Chinnappa: Anti-Christian violence is treated passively by the Govenrment

The whole country is keeping quiet and watching the fun Condemn attack on Christians, Bishop tells public September 30, 2008 | 23:16:27 ARCHBISHOP of Madras-Mylapore Diocese Rev. A M Chinnappa has appealed to the public to speak out against the recent atrocities committed against Christians in Orissa, Karnataka and other parts of the country. He was speaking at the centenary celebrations of Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai. Exclusive to The Christian Messenger: | Need a common fund for Orissa Christians' relief | 'VHP was planning to attack Orissa Christians anyway' | Addressing the gathering, he said: “Christians across the country are being massacred and churches destroyed. Even the little property owned by poor people, especially those from minority communities such as Dalits and tribals, which is practically worth nothing, is being ransacked. It is a pity.” The bishop referred to the attacks being carried out against tribal Christians in Kandhamal district of Orissa after the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati by suspected Maoists. “The saddest part is that the whole country is keeping quiet and watching the fun. The central and state police in Orissa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are keeping mum. Everybody sympathises and sends messages but to no avail,” he said. Regretting the passive manner in which news of the anti-Christian violence is being treated, he said: “I ask the good people of the country to speak out boldly. We handled the tsunami because the money came from outside but we are not able to do anything now. I bow my head in gratitude to those who are trying to do something to help the Christians.”  read