ICC Note:

Unknown “thugs” reportedly broke into St. Sebastian Church last week in Pune and burned Bibles and other Christian literature. This is just another reported attack on Christians in India as religious intolerance in the South Asian nation continues to rise. In 2015, Christians were attacked 365 times according to a report by the Catholic Secular Forum, making it the worst year for Christians in India’s independent history. Will 2016 be another record breaking year for the wrong reasons for Christians in India?

3/14/2016 India (Asia News) – Unknown thugs broke into the St Sebastian Church at dawn yesterday in Daund, a town some 80 km from Pune (Maharashtra), and set fire to the Bible, sacred books and religious sheet music in front of the Grotto of Our Lady Fatima.

Although police are on the case, the authorities have downplayed the seriousness of the incident; yet, the way the attack was carried out suggests a premeditated act against the town’s Christian minority.

Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), spoke to AsiaNews about the attack. “The GCIC strongly condemns the desecration and burning of the Bible and other books,” Mr. George said.

“Arson in front of the grotto is deplorable and is an act of sacrilege dictated by hatred. We ask the government to arrest the culprits immediately.”

What is more, “Such incidents in the period of Lent create tensions and disturb the solemnity of the religious celebration,” the Christian leader said.

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