(This news is put as it was recieved. No editing has been done.)
Fundamentalists Attack Carmel Convent School in Gwalior, Gwalior Diocese.
The Christian Association Gwalior due to the passing away of Pope John Paul II turned the Easter Milan Samaroh in to a Prayer Service, Shradanjali Samaroh, for Pope on Sunday, 3rd April 2005. This was attended by Mr. John Dayal, the General Secretary, All India Christian Council and a very senior journalist. The meeting was organized in Balbhavan Auditorium by Mr. Raju Francis, Rev. S.P Luther and others.
After the prayer meeting Mr. John Dayal issued a written statement regarding different stands by the Christian council. Mr. Dayal was already been quoted by Panchajanya that he is against the Hindutva. The media asked clarifications to this he said that Hindu religion we respect but the Hindutva ideology is used by the communal forces to divide the community.
This statement was misquoted by Dainik Bhaskar, (A leading Daily) “RSS is the enemy number one for Christians." It irked the feeling of fundamental forces and on Tuesday, April 05, 2005, evening around 7 pm a group of fundamental activists barged into the Carmel convent school campus burnt the effigy of Mr. Dayal and tried to destroy the property but the police stopped them.
After this they said to have held a meeting and demanded an apology from the Church or else they would extend their agitation to other institutions and schools.
This incident has nothing to do with the official Catholic Church as none of the clergy has taken part in it. Public Relation Office talked to all the party concerned and Mr. Dayal has promised to clear his statements as he has been misquoted by the media. This has incited the religious passion and which lead to the violence.
Fr. Anand Muttungal
PRO & Spokesperson
Catholic Church, M.P & C.G
After the prayer meeting Mr. John Dayal issued a written statement regarding different stands by the Christian council. Mr. Dayal was already been quoted by Panchajanya that he is against the Hindutva. The media asked clarifications to this he said that Hindu religion we respect but the Hindutva ideology is used by the communal forces to divide the community.
This statement was misquoted by Dainik Bhaskar, (A leading Daily) “RSS is the enemy number one for Christians." It irked the feeling of fundamental forces and on Tuesday, April 05, 2005, evening around 7 pm a group of fundamental activists barged into the Carmel convent school campus burnt the effigy of Mr. Dayal and tried to destroy the property but the police stopped them.
After this they said to have held a meeting and demanded an apology from the Church or else they would extend their agitation to other institutions and schools.
This incident has nothing to do with the official Catholic Church as none of the clergy has taken part in it. Public Relation Office talked to all the party concerned and Mr. Dayal has promised to clear his statements as he has been misquoted by the media. This has incited the religious passion and which lead to the violence.
Fr. Anand Muttungal
PRO & Spokesperson
Catholic Church, M.P & C.G
