CBCI condemns mob attack on catholic priests & catechist in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 8 (UNI) The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has urged the Odisha Government to take swift and decisive action following a mob attack on two Catholic priests and a catechist in Jaleswar on August 6.

It called for the immediate identification and prosecution of the perpetrators and for stronger measures to protect all minority communities.

Expressing deep anguish, the CBCI strongly condemned the incident, describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against Christian minorities and a reflection of the growing climate
of intolerance in the country.

According to reports, the attack occurred when Fr. Lijo, Parish Priest of St. Thomas’ Church in Jaleswar, along with another priest, two nuns, and a catechist, was returning to the parish after conducting a requiem Mass in a nearby village.

While local village women managed to rescue the nuns, the priests and the catechist were stopped, abused, manhandled, and falsely accused of religious conversion. Fr. Lijo’s mobile phone was forcibly taken and never returned, while the catechist, Mr. Durjyodhan, was brutally beaten and his motorcycle damaged.

The CBCI said such acts are a blatant violation of constitutional rights and human dignity. It warned that the rising trend of mob violence poses a serious threat to the safety, security, and peaceful coexistence of all communities.

It urged the authorities to safeguard the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution so that every citizen can live and practice their faith without fear.

The CBCI reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitor the situation and to stand firm in defending the rights, dignity, and safety of all citizens, particularly the Christian community.