New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed distress at a brutal attack on a Catholic nun in central India.
The 47-year-old nun belongs to the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate congregation that manages a nursing center, Krist Sahaya Kendra (Christ help center) at Mowa, a suburb of Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh state.
The incident reportedly occurred on June 19.
The nun, a qualified nurse was in the nursing home together with two other girls. She was found early morning, gagged and tied to a bed after being brutally attacked and molested. The police were informed and they rushed the nun to the nearest government hospital, a statement from the CBCI issued on June 21 said.
Signed by CBCI secretary general Archbishop Albert D’Souza of Agra, the press release said the bishops’ conference viewed such attacks on nuns “very seriously” and urged the governments in Raipur and New Delhi to act speedily to book the culprits.
It also wants the authorities to provide adequate security and protection to the Christian missionaries, who Archbishop D’Souza noted, provided “selfless service to the poor” and earned much appreciation from the public.
“Such incidents of violence on minorities and especially on women tarnish the image of our country in the international community, besides posing serious questions as to how far the minorities are safe and secure today in India,” the CBCI press release said.
A 74-year-old nun was gangraped in West Bengal state in March this year. The main accused was arrested only a week ago.