Speaking on October 6 in the presence of Pope Benedict and about 240 cardinals and bishops from more than 100 countries, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil of Ernakulam-Angamaly, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, spoke with passion in straightforward language.
The cardinal denounced the violence against Christians in India, particularly in the eastern state of Orissa, as "one of the worst persecutions" in the life of the nation. It has produced "new martyrs," he told the synod.
Christians are being pressured to "reconvert" to Hinduism, he said, and those who refused to do so are being beaten, some even burned to death.
The persecution has led to the deaths of about 80 people and thousands have become refugees in Orissa. Many Christians have abandoned their homes and fled into forests to escape the fury of Hindu extremists, the prelate reported. read it all
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