CNI Churches Observe Black Christmas

Bhopal – While massive celebrations were taking place in different churches in Bhopal during Christmas, the Church of North India (CNI) has collectively decided to observe black Christmas on December 25 to protest against the atrocities perpetrated by the Hindu fundamentalists against the believers.

The Bethlehem Church, Barkhedi, Holy Redeemer's Church, Railway Colony and St Mary's Church at Ashoka Garden, all belonging to the Church of North India (CNI), have collectively decided to observe a ‘black’ Christmas this year in protest against the atrocities done to its co–believers of Amkhut, Puniyawat and Alirajpur villages of Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh.

The secretary of Bethlehem Church, Shreedhar Ingle said that members of the CNI Church have collectively decided to observe black Christmas on December 25. "CNI churches in Amkhut, Puniyawat and Alirajpur in Jhabua district were looted, members were beaten and a woman was even raped by anti–social elements," he said, adding "There was a simple prayer service on the eve of Christmas."

He also rued imprisonment of 13 members of the Christian community and said that several pleas to the administration in this connection have been of no avail. “In connection with the Jhabua incident 13 members are imprisoned in Alirajpur jail. It is almost a year, they have not got bail,” he said.

"Our church was serving society for hundred years and our brethren are attacked in return. 13 members, who are imprisoned in Alirajpur jail, are earning members of their family. Through agitation on December 25, we wanted to draw the attention of the administration to take impartial action", explained Amit Mathew, another member of Bethlehem Church.

Pritish Bilwalkar of Bethlehem Church said that it was not an occasion to celebrate Christmas when 13 innocent members of the Church are imprisoned. There could have been other ways of drawing attention of the administration but this day is chosen because it is the greatest feast, it is the greatest occasion to draw the attention of the administration. It is the collective decision of the community, he added.

"There is no point in celebrating Christmas when 13 innocent members of the Church are imprisoned," said Roni Richard of the Holy Redeemers Church. "There could have been other ways of drawing attention of the administration but this day is chosen because it is the greatest feast, it is the greatest occasion to draw the attention of the administration. It is the collective decision of the community," he added.

The priest of Holy Redeemer's Church, Fr Manoj Charan said that every new day is a Christmas. Following the message of Jesus is more important than external manifestation. There would be prayer and adoration but the Church would not be decorated in solidarity with the 13 members who are in Alirajpur jail, he said.

The priest of St Mary's Church of Ashoka Garden, Fr K Prasad Ray said that the decision is taken collectively. By not observing Christmas they are not going against Jesus. They are mourning with the 13 innocent members who are jailed.