Christian orphanage set ablaze for second time in Orissa

Tension has still not subdued in Orissa's riot-hit districts where last week unknown assailants set ablaze an orphanage run by Fr. Edward Sequerira.

This is the second time the orphanage in Padampur, Bargarh district, has been targeted by suspected Hindu extremists who have been on a rampage since August 23 2008 - the murder of a local VHP leader.

Fr. Edward was one of the first victims of the anti-Christian persecution when Hindu radicals seized him and tried to burn him alive. It was in his orphanage that a frenzied mob plunged Rajni Majih, a Hindu girl at the mission station, into the fire, in which she burned to death.

"This setting fire to the Padampur orphanage is a clear indication that the area is still simmering and there is still risk of carnage," the prelate told AsiaNews.

"The police were guarding the burnt down orphanage and the night that the police was away, some unknown persons set fire to the place. That is clearly indicative that our Padampur mission is under constant surveillance by certain forces," he added.

Even after facing severe persecution, Fr. Edward affirms his intention to not leave Padampur, where he still runs a leper colony and the orphanage for "people who live in absolute poverty without basic human dignity."

He asserts that the mission will continue to serve the marginalised and isolated people "by the love that Christ had for his Church."

"The cross is always be present in the life of a Christian, and this cross brought forth the most powerful fruit of the resurrection. This is our life, the cross of Christ in the face of persecution, and the hope of resurrection." he told the Catholic news agency.

Fr. Edward had earlier rued that the government had only offered a mere 20,000 rupees (315 euros) as compensation for the damaged orphanage.

He also was saddened as not a single person from the village testified to the authorities on the assault or the rape and burning of Rajni during the communal riots.

He appealed to the international community to raise the issue of Kandhamal on an international platform.