Letter to cardinal

1. FORUM
CORE
COMMITTEE
10/01/2022
Rt. Rev. Cardinal Oswald Gracias
Archbishop’s House
21, Nathala Parekh Marg,
Mumbai – 400001.
Respected and Dear Cardinal Oswald Gracias,
Wish you greetings of the Season!
We, the members of the Forum of Religious for Justice and
Peace, wish to draw your attention to the recent attacks on the
Christian community across India especially during the Christmas
week.
During the two days, December 24-25, the media reported 7
well-planned attacks on Christian Institutions across the country.
In fact, in the year 2021, there were 486 incidents of violence
against the Christian community in India, according to the United
Christian Front. What shocks us is the complete silence on the part
of the official Church, the CBCI.
As the leader of the Catholic Church in India, we look up to you
for guidance and direction when the community is facing a great
threat and many Christians are living in fear. As Indian citizens we
have our ‘Constitutional Rights’ and these rights are being
violated both by the state and non-state actors. As a minority
religious community and citizens of India we have the right to
protest within the framework of law against the violation of our
rights.
The violent acts against the Christian community and Muslim
community or any other minority group are in complete violation
of the law of the land and the Indian Constitution. If we do not
respond to such acts, the secular fabric of India will be lost causing
irreparable damage to the people of India, and an inclusive,
democratic and pluralistic India as envisioned in the preamble of
the Indian Constitution could be lost forever
DOROTHY FERNANDES PBVM
(NATIONAL CONVENOR)
•
ANAND MATHEW IMS
(NATIONAL TREASURER)
•
ANTONY THEKKINIYATH OFM
CAP
(NATIONAL SECRETARY)
•
CEDRIC PRAKASH SJ
•
JACOB PEENIKKAPARAMBIL
CMI
•
JULIE GEORGE SSpS
•
VARGHESE THECKANATH SG
•
LENA SCN
•
SUJITHA SND
•
JESSIN SJC
•

2. As individuals we have joined civil society groups to register our protest against the gross
violation of our rights by signing petitions. What is missing is the voice of the official church,
the CBCI. We request you to guide the Catholic Community India to respond to the increasing
hate speech and violence against Muslims and Christians. When Muslims were lynched by the
right-wing groups, the Church in India remained silent. Now these groups have intensified
their attacks on Christians. We are of the view that we Catholics cannot remain silent
spectators when the drama of violent attacks against the minorities is unfolding before us. We
need to act and fulfill our prophetic role before it is too late.
The evangelical churches, pastors and the faithful are mostly the vulnerable victims of
persecution. As the leader of the Catholic Church, the largest denomination in India, we
suggest that you play an important and necessary role of being a bridge between different
denominations and towards building Christian solidarity. We propose that there be united
action against the attacks by way of protest rallies, closure of the Christian educational
institutes, common prayers etc.
Hence, we propose the following actions for your kind consideration.
1. Send a letter to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister asking them to give strict
orders to the chief ministers of the states where atrocities against Christians are taking
place, to prevent such atrocities in future and to bring to book the culprits who are involved
in these crimes. The copy of the letter is to be made available to the media.
2. A delegation consisting of the prominent Christian leaders under the leadership of
the Chairman of the Regional Bishops Conference shall submit a memorandum to
the chief ministers of the concerned states, where violent incidents against Christian
community are taking place, asking them to take strict measures to prevent such
incidents and file cases against those are involved in inciting violence against
Christians.
3. Whenever harassment or attacks on Christian institutions and the Church personnel
are done either by the agencies of the state or by the right-wing groups the CBCI
spokesperson has to respond immediately and condemn the incidents of violence,
harassment and discrimination.
4. Constitute an expert legal cell under the CBCI to provide legal guidance and support
to the victims of violence or harassment to approach the competent courts.
5. Organize one day fasting at the state capitals (in public places) under the leadership
of all the bishops of the region to protest against the increasing violence against
minorities. This could be a venture involving the leaders of all Christian
denominations and with the support of the Civil Society Organizations. It is
appropriate to hold the one day fasting during the Unity Octave.
6. As prevention is better than cure, it is urgent to plan strategies to prevent as well as
manage crises at the diocesan level, regional level and the national level. As the
president of the CBCI, you have to propose the dynamics as well as the timeframe

3. within which meetings to be organized for planning strategies at the diocesan level
followed by regional level strategy planning meetings and finally the meeting at the
national level. The strategy planning should necessarily include an evaluation of the
functioning of various ministries, especially the method of evangelization and
proposing changes within the dioceses and the religious congregations in order to
meet the challenges of the Hindutva forces.
7. Let there be united action against the attacks by way of protest rallies, closure of the
Christian educational institutes, common prayers etc.
We look forward to hearing from you. A delegation of the FORUM will be happy to meet you
for a discussion on our proposals.
With cordial regards and prayers
Sincerely,
ANTONY F THEKKINIYATH OFM CAP
NATIONAL SECRETARY
DOROTHY FERNANDES PBVM
(NATIONAL CONVENOR