By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, August 2, 2023: Catholics across India have reacted with dismay to a message on Manipur from Cardinal Oswald Gracias, a top Church leader in the country and one of the eight advisors of Pope Francis.
The cardinal’s comments “were shocking, uncalled for and totally unjustified, as they did not reflect the ground reality,” says Allen Brooks, spokesperson of the United Christian Forum of the Northeast, who was the first to report when violence broke out in Manipur state May 3 evening.
The cardinal’s 4.28-minute video message, addressed to the Catholics of Bombay archdiocese, asserts that the riots in the northeastern Indian state are not a Hindu-Christian conflict but clashes between two tribal groups.
The cardinal, while calling for a peaceful solution to the conflict, said it “has been given a religious twist, but this is not a religious conflict between two religions” but a conflict between two tribes “that have historically been very hostile to each other.”
Brooks, who is based in Assam’s Guwahati, says the conflict could have been identified as ethnic but for the “glaring” ground reality.
“With hundreds of churches and institutions belonging to Christians of Kuki and Meitei communities completely destroyed in the first three days of the conflict, the narrative was clear — it was a well-orchestrated plan,” he asserts.
He points out that the destruction of 247 churches belonging to the Meitei Christian in the Imphal Valley has shocked everyone, given their ethnicity.
“Today the Meitei Christians continue to live in fear. I’ve been informed that the Meitei Christian community is not being allowed to worship and are being threatened to return to the original fold,” he added.
Father Anand Mathew, a member of the Indian Missionary Society in the northern Indian city of Varanasi, says the statement of “one of the most important leaders of the Indian Church” has shocked him.
“Is he unaware of the ground realities? If that is true, then that speaks bad of him,” Father Mathew told Matters India.
Apostolic Carmel Sister M Nirmalini, president of Conference of Religious India, says the cardinal’s statement has disheartened her. “I tend to disagree. Can he explain to us why the BJP government is unable to control the violence and why it took 78 days for the prime minister to react?” asks the Bengaluru-based head of India’s more than 130,000 Catholic religious men and women.
Conflicts in the area, she told Matters India August 2, “have been going on for years but never have the Churches been targeted and violation of women on this scale.”
The violence has reportedly displaced 70,000 people who now live in 300 refugee camps while many others have fled to other states in India. Scores of women were raped and killed. More than 5,000 Christian institutions, including churches, and private Christian homes have been torched in the violence that has killed nearly 190 people and wounded more than 300.
John Dayal, a prominent Catholic lay leader and veteran journalist who was part of a peace team that visited Manipur in July end, urges the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), to issue “a categorical statement” that Christians have been the victims of the state-sponsored violence against Kuki Zo tribes of Manipur.
Such an action is “the only way to rectify the damage done by the cardinal’s statement which was not based on the facts and truths of the ground situation of Imphal valley and the hills of Churachandpur and other districts,” Dayal asserted.
Even Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal, the head of the Catholic Church in Manipur, says Cardinal Gracias’ views did not reflect the ground reality. He said this in an interview with renowned Indian journalist Karan Thapar. Cardinal Gracias, who was the CBCI president for a total of eight years, has not visited Manipur after the violence began.
However, his successor Archbishop Andrew Thazhath visited the troubled state July 23-24 with two priests from New Delhi. He then criticized the prolonged silence and apathy of the law enforcement agencies in containing violence in Manipur.
In July, Archbishop Lumon compared the Manipur situation to 2008 anti-Christian violence in the Kandhamal district of the eastern Indian state of Odisha. He said officials in Manipur have allowed subtle attacks on Christianity, under the pretext of war against drugs or fight against illegal migrants from Myanmar.
Father Mathew suspects the cardinal’s statement was “scripted” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) combine. “The BJP IT cell quoted him immediately,” he pointed out.
Presentation Sister Dorothy Fernandes, national convener of the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace, an advocacy group, too predicts the cardinal’s statement “will be used against us.”
The Patna-based nun finds it “very embarrassing” when “the highest representative” of the Church makes such a statement. She regrets that the cardinal’s statement has put the Catholics “on a very delicate and critical position,” although “most of us don’t believe in what he has said.”
Correcting the cardinal that the Meiteis are not tribals, Sister Fernandes says Christians do not have to buy or support the government narrative on the Manipur violence. “Where is our prophetic response to denounce the wrong, name it and shame it?” she asks
Maintaining that the people in Manipur need healing as their wounds are raw, Sister Fernades pleads that one should not take away those people’s pain and nightmares with such statements. “If we can’t call a spade a spade, then let’s not say anything,” she added.
Thomas Scaria, a veteran journalist in Mangaluru who has reported on the Manipur violence, quoted Salesian Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati to say that his many fellow bishops have little knowledge about the culture and faith practices of people in the northeast, a hotspot of more than 300 tribes.
Only those who have worked in the region understand the richness of the tribal culture and their values. “The Manipur violence is certainly an ethnic cleansing drive, well planned by those in power. I feel sad that the cardinal’s statement only favors the majority community there,” he added.
Carmelite Sister Manju Devarapalli, secretary of the National Dalit Christian Watch based in Andhra Pradesh, laments that “the sense of justice and genuine interest in the lives of others in accordance with the Gospel values is corroding steeply, particularly from the ones it is expected.”
However, Jesuit Father Stanislaus Alla, who teaches moral theology in Delhi’s Vidyajyoti College of Theology, says the cardinal’s main intention was to appeal for support and prayer for peace and healing in Manipur.
The appeal made sense to its intended audience, he says. Disagreement with the cardinal’s explanation of the Manipur violence as a clash between two tribes “should not take away the merits of the appeal,” he asserts.
Father Alla also does not want people to get upset, angry or judge the cardinal’s motives and intentions even if they are disappointed with what he has said or omitted. “Certainly, the Catholics look for light, guidance and direction from the ecclesial leaders,” he agrees,
More than in the past, there are several sources for obtaining knowledge and information on contemporary concerns. In the spirit of Synodality, we should challenge ourselves to grow up and team up and do what we can and join others in confronting injustice and inequality and work for peace and harmony,” he added.
Chhotebhai has hit the nail on the head. The Cardinal should step down honourably.
The impugned statement issued by Cardinal Gracias should be an eye opener for the Laity in India to lead their Christian life prophetically as envisaged in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.
The statement is a clear indication that Cardinal Gracias has failed to exercise his prophetic role as a leader of the Church in India to save the Christian communities suffering in Manipur.It is a well planned attack executed against the Christian communities in Manipur. It is not a mere ethnic conflicts in Manipur.
Never in History the Religious Leaders and the top most Political Leaders confronted each other! The nexus between the two is undeniable. Whether they open their mouth or don’t open their mouth, they only serve each other. The statement of Cardinal may be deplomatic but it betrays him. Yet, the prophetic voice of the Church will be still heard from the faithful. We will strive for peace!
That Cardinal Gracias and many other Bishops like William, Franco, Dabre etc are hardcore criminals in white robes is an open secret. The biggest evidence of his being the underworld don of Rogue Bishops and priests is the audio conversation between him and ex- bishop William of Mysore which revealed his criminal mindset like never before. If a cardinal can even think of ‘fixing’ paternity test, doctors, media to help one of the greatest Crooks in Indian Catholic heirarchy then what can one expect but lies, deceit, concoction etc from a person who is aptly described as Mr Disgracias.
That Disgracias even admitted to advising rapist Ex Bishop Franco in how to handle the rape charges in the conversation is the height of hypocrisy and unparalleled criminal bent of mind shown by any Catholic religious head till date.
That Disgracias alongwith Nuncio Leopoldo Girelli publicly presided over the loot of lay funds by ex Bishop Thomas Dabre when Dabre brazenly and immorally gifted himself a 17 lakhs swanky Honda City car and a blank cheque from salaries of peons, clerks, teachers of schools speaks volumes for this ‘Dawood Don’ of the Indian Catholic Church.
Disgracias didn’t bother to reprimand Dabre when he ( Dabre ) publicly in. Pune function stated that Christians accept RSS ideology and so naturally we have India’s top religious leader accepting the official version of ‘Manipur genocide’. Therefore not surprising that the ruling dispensation immediately quoted Disgracias to defend themselves on ‘Manipur’.
The lay Catholics need to cleanse the Church of such duplicate and dubious religious leaders before ‘Manipur fire’ reaches other states because even then these pro ruling and RSS religious leaders like Disgracias and Dabre will have no courage to state the truth to save their own skins.
Dominic Lobo, Pune
I have doubt that he is not unaware of what’s happening to the Christians in Manipur. A statement that completely ignoring the realities is despicable.
Cardinal’s remark is not at all justifiable. He is in a eutopian land. There are non christians in the ethnic group. Their places of worship are not destroyed. Only Christian churches are vandalied, destryed and burnt. Cardinal Gracias must visit the riot torn places and assess the situation. If je visit the place, he will definitely withdraw his mindless statement.
Cardinal’s statement is made in the atmosphere of turmoil in the country. Did we want him to say that its a Hindu Christian conflict? Is the solution to be sought only between Christians and Hindus? What could have been the effect on our community if he had said so. Perhaps he should not have categorically said that it is a tribal conflict but also should have added a sentence on communal forces taking advantage of the situation
Cardinal Oswald must apologise or resign for utter display of ignorance on the Kuki-Meitei crisis. He must learn to keep his mouth shut than to open it and be called a fool!
I can well understand PM Narendra Modi maintaining his silence perhaps due to his brand of politics,or religious compulsions….but I strongly condem the silence of our in Catholic church’ Cardinal Oswald gracious,and when he did speak,he had to remark that it was a tribal ethnic clash , nothing to do with religion…if that were so ,how come 340 churches we’re burnt in one day or rather 36 hours on third and fourth May itself,,how come on christians were targeted….it’s shere nonsense and blashphemy of the highest order…hope he has not joined the bandwagon of 50 khokeh ekdum OK
CORRIGENDUM my earlier statement should read “ham handed” not हमारे. Dangers of auto correct when using two languages.
All get upset but bishops are calm and stable. Because all get affected by situations. But readers should remember, In india the only privilaged group is bishops without trasfer. They can tranafer what is treat to them. They have got judicial power and power of execution (even a district collector in India does not enjoy it as a bishop-stable enjoys in one place, and the prime minister (CM, MP, MLA) of india is not as permanent as a bishop or a cardinal is.
It is a tricky, unjust system unfortunately in catholic church which preaches of servent leadership which an IAS Practice in reality. Bishops look for their power and not morality, they look for money rather than their അണി (‘ani’ = followers) their real supporters are enemies of the Catholic church (find out when these cardinals open their mouth? you will find for whom they are speaking and working for? He was instantly enthusiastic in stating the topic of his unkwon in corona vaccination. He was for it. He was seemingly with vaccination companies 🤔.
It is time up to make a radical move in catholic adminiatration. canonical amendment is an urgent need for saving church in india. As bishops being human…. Prone to be tempted, and are recruited after not any exam as of ias, ips, psc, unimaginable power… they too can missuse out of ignorance and evil of humans… The pride of life, lust of eye and flesh.
Kerala predominant bishops are having its optimal missuse. That is the story of Ernakulam, the real obstacles of new lirurgy is rebel groups of religious based in kerala pontifical congregations, Bishops don’t utter a word against religious because of their institutional powers and their kerala based feminist power)
but created scape goats are ernakulam priests…pity for the priests…created victims for saving bishops criminal moves.
The CBCI has become an instrument of power game. Synodality has become a laughing stock against the genuine people.
If bishops are transfered once in 7 (10/12) years canon law will prevail in the church for all rather than unwanted power structures. And the church will open real synodality and progress. Other wise the criminal bishops will prevail with eternal power as mockingly divine plan.
Infact no body can make ammandment on it as bishops are the custodians of canin law. Pity for the Indian Catholic Church
Fr stan Lived with tribals
With only a cot table and chair in a thatched hut
So also meiteis and kukis live in forests
Now they have no roofs over their heads
Cardinal lives in a palace
Kukis and meiteis have no food shelter or security
Ossie never spoke up for stan even though he was innocent
Now Vernon and Arun rout on bail
Cardinal could have used his clout and money and got stan out on bail
He did not
Now he is not bothered about lives of our Christians tribals in forests
Definitely there is a hidden agenda of Cardinal Oswald Gracious. He does not give aid to deserving Catholics in Mumbai. Spends crores of Rs on his lawyers to fight false Sodomised cases.
*And now he wants Catholics from all over India to contribute for what he says is Tribal conflict*.
Cardinal Oswald Gracious is outdated as of today. His age does not give him insight of what is right and wrong. He only knows the language of money. I wonder if he has the Gut feelings to see the facts, emotions and fear of God.
Everyone has a Retireing age, but Cardinal Oswald Gracious thinks he is still sweet sixteen.
Shame on Cardinal Oswald Gracious who is the Head of the Catholic Church in India.
How can he make such Rubbish statement?
What is he trying to Prove?
The full World can see the Persecuted Manipuries. Is the Cardinal Blind, living in India?
Secondly he say this is a Tribal conflict, if this is a clash between Two Tribes then why is he asking the Catholic Community in India to have a Second Collection on Sunday the 13th of August 2023, to collect Money for the people of Manipuri? What is his Hidden agenda? He should come out clear on this?
Fr stan did not live in a palace
He lived with trials in forests Cardinal Oswald
U were even afraid Cardinal Oswald to speak up and rescue fr Stan
U didn’t even call for morcha
All would have hit the streets
U r now calling for money for manipur
It is time for the important people with positions in the Chruch to have internal communication and have a consensus developed before they make public statements. It is very appalling when different positions are taken in such sensitive issues by such key Church personnel.
Disgraceful of Cardinal Oswald
He never visits troubled Parishes
Nor visit manipur and makes irrelevant and irresponsible statements
Cardinal Gracias should issue a public apology and resign. He is already 4 years over the age limit of 75 for bishops. More importantly the main thrust of his pathetic interview was to collect money in the name of Manipur.
Let us also not forget that after the Bombay Port Trust, the Catholic Church is the biggest owner of land in Mumbai.
It’s indeed tragic that various Catholic prelates have in recent years been making politically हमारे handed statements. That is not their area of competence. Please leave that to the laity.