Catholics frown at Baptists in Nagaland

Catholic schools in Nagaland were closed last Friday to protest against the demolition of a Catholic Church in Kiphire district.

The church in Anatongre was allegedly razed down by Baptists who sources said were opposed to a non-Baptist church in the region.

Baptists are the predominant group constituting more than 75% of Christians in Nagaland.

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) meanwhile has denied any involvement and said it was unfortunate that "the Anatongre crisis has been blown out of proportion by people without studying the ground realities and listening to both parties in conflict."

A press note issued by NBCC general secretary Rev Iringtie Kauring said, "The conflict is not between Catholics and Baptists, but between Catholics and Anatongre Village Council."

"The village council has considerable authority in solving any problem within its jurisdiction for the welfare of the people. Therefore, the NBCC appeals to all concerned to address the crisis in the right perspective for the sake of peace and harmony in our land," Rev. Kauring added.

Catholic schools across the state shut down to protest what the Catholic Association of Nagaland called a denial of "basic human rights."

Rev. Fr Mathew Thuniampral, secretary of education commission, Diocese of Kohima, told The Telegraph that he was pained to know that the Students' Union of Anatongre and village members who were educated in Catholic schools took part in demolishing the Catholic church.

Village authorities and the students' union of Anatongre in Kiphire reportedly passed a resolution on March 18 stating that there shall be only Baptist Christian denomination in the village.

"It is a positive development that this incident has been brought to the notice of the administration and the general public on how a section of the people of the state is treated," stated the spokesperson for Diocese for Kohima, Fr R.R. Graviour Augustine.
"Sadly, it is prevalent in many parts of the state and it is a blatant violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution," he said.