Charity to help restore a shrine in Tamil Nadu

An international Christian charity has agreed to fund restore a chapel that was severely damaged by religious extremists in Tamil Nadu.

The chapel of St Anthony, on the island of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu state, was attacked on several occasions between June and August 2008, at about the same time as anti-Christian violence in Orissa state left more than 80 dead.

Responding to an urgent request for help, Aid to the Church in Need promised to provide over $30,000 towards the cost of a new shrine.

Parish priest, Fr Michael Raj told ACN that, "Last year in 2008, from June to August, the previous chapel was vigorously attacked and heavily damaged twice by unidentified anti-social and religious elements."

Fr Raj added: "This is repeatedly happening here and there are intruders who break the holy cross… They plan to remove the Christian symbols from this site."

The new chapel will have the added protection of a wall around the compound – and the local Church also intends to erect a house for visiting pilgrims. Organisers also plan to extend the hall at the shrine.

The priest believes "fanatic religious groups" were behind the attacks on the shrine of St Anthony.

He added: "However our faith is stronger and we are sure that the God in whom we believe, amidst all these struggles, will save our faith and our place of worship – which is the shrine of St Anthony."

Despite suspicions that damage to the shrine was religiously motivated, the priest reported that most members of other faiths on the island support the campaign to save the chapel.