New Delhi, India - The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (Cbci) have strongly condemned the violent attack against Msgr. Thomas Dabre, bishop of Vasai, and has invited the government to ensure that “in India fringe fanatics do not take the law into their own hands”. The prelate was attacked January 29th last by a Hindu crowd as he visited a poor children’s home in a village in the western province of Maharashtra. About 200 Hindu militants stoned the bishop and three priests who were accompanying him, injuring one. The Catholic delegation was participating in the inauguration of a school for young tribe members from the village of Gosali, north of Mumbai. The attack, in all probability launched by extremist groups Bajrang Dal and Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, also damaged the school building.
According to Fr.Babu Joseph, Cbci spokesman, Msgr. Dabre’s case “is a clear sign that fanatical groups are trying to take the law into their own hands and impede the noble work of the Church in India”. The Hindu extremists oppose the Church’s work to elevate the economic and cultural conditions of tribes. Fr. Babu added that the episode “is yet more proof that fundamentalism and anti social elements are attempting to halt the Church’s humanitarian and social work in the country”.
The Cbci spokesperson asks that both central and local governments take a strong stance against those responsible for the attacks by adopting measures to make sure similar actions are not repeated.
The same appeal was made by Card. Ivan Dias, archbishop of Mumbai, following news of the incident. “Such a barbaric episode of violence –said the Cardinal– is a disgrace which does not reflect the Indian culture of respect and tolerance”. “At the same time – he continues – “it shows that these fundamentalist groups lack a sense of civilized democracy”.
In a joint press release the All India Catholic Union and the Bombay Catholic Council define the attack as an attempt to “intimidate” and warn: “If the inhabitants hadn’t posed resistance to these extremists the situation could have been far, far worse”.