By Felix Anthony and Ginto K Tom
Guwahati: The Catholic bishops in northeastern India on July 13 condemned the demolition of a church in the national capital the previous day.
“It is shocking and sad news,” said Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati, who is president of North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC).
The Little Flower Church in Lado Sarai was demolished by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation citing encroachment of government’s agricultural land “by some people by installment of religious structures.”
Speaking on behalf of NEIRBC, Archbishop Moolachira said, “Demolition of the Church in Delhi has hurt the religious sentiment of the peace loving Christian community not only in Delhi but across the country. The number of such incident has been on the rise in the recent past, including many parts of North East India.”
Citing the stay order in place since 2015, the prelate said, “Why such a hurry to demolish a place of worship that is in place for more than ten years? The Municipal Corporation should have given sufficient time to the Church personnel to take legal recourse before the demolition. Such a hurried action has not only has hurt the religious sentiments of the people but also betrays hidden agenda of the local administration.”
The land where the church stood was donated to the Diocese of Faridabad Syro-Malabar Diocese 12 years ago for religious purpose of some 1500 local Catholics.
Recalling how the blocking of a church construction in Arunachal Pradesh and demolition order for churches in Manipur had caused protest and unrest in the northeastern region, the archbishop cautioned that the Delhi church demolition may set a bad precedence and embolden the land mafia.
“We appeal to the government and the municipal corporation not to violate the religious sentiments of the people and not to disturb the religious harmony of the country,” the archbishop said. “We pray that peace, justice and religious harmony prevail in our country,” he added.
Meanwhile the Faridabad diocese on July 13 initiated legal action against the church demolition.
Protests have intensified over the demolition. The diocesan leadership strongly condemned this cruel and unjust act of the authorities and demanded that the government takes immediate action against it.
A delegation of parish priest Father Jose Kannukuzhi and the trustees called on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Kerala House in New Delhi and explained the situation. The chief minister promised to provide necessary assistance.
Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara on July 13 visited the site along with vicar general Monsignor Joseph Odanat to assess the situation. The prelate condemned the destruction of a church that was used for prayer and worship by thousands of people for more than 13 years.
He termed as “completely unfair” to demolish the church without any provocation. The church was built by the faithful of the parish with a lot of hard work, he explained and expressed his solidarity with them.
Archbishop Bharanikulangara also wrote letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and federl Home Minister Amit Shah seeking help for legal action against this incident.
He has also informed Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Syro Malabar Church, and Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India about the church’s “unjust demolition.”