The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) strongly condemns the appalling attack on Christian pilgrims in Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh. It is deeply distressing that the Christian community, which has played a significant role in freedom struggle and nation-building, and has always upheld constitutional values, is repeatedly targeted, harassed, and denied its fundamental right to worship by extremist and anti-national elements.
Reports indicate that this is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern and strategy to create communal polarization and hostility towards religious minorities. In this latest incident, Catholic priests and lay pilgrims from Mandla parish, who were undertaking a religious pilgrimage as part of Jubilee 2025, were forcibly stopped, and assaulted by extremist groups. The assault on senior Priests, including Father Davis, Vicar General of Jabalpur, and Father George T, diocesan procurator, is a shocking attack on religious freedom and human dignity.
The CBCI urges Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister for Minority Affairs, and Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, to urgently intervene and ensure that the constitutional rights of the Christian community are upheld. Furthermore, we call upon the Government of Madhya Pradesh to take stringent action against these anti-national forces and ensure the safety and security of all minority communities.
India’s rich democratic fabric is woven with the principles of secularism, pluralism, and religious harmony. Any attempt to disrupt this must be met with firm legal and administrative action. The CBCI stands in solidarity with the victims and calls upon the concerned authority to take all measures to stop any such violence, and to establish justice, peace, and protection for all faith communities.
Fr. Robinson Rodrigues
PRO, CBCI
Email: procbci1@gmail.com
Website: www.cbci.in
Image from the FB Page of the Bishops Conference of India during their 36th P. Assembly:
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