Lucknow Bishop cancels Christmas festivities

Persecution of Christians in different states has very much worried the Bishop of Lucknow, Gerald Mathias, who canceled many of the Christmas festivities in his north Indian diocese.

The Bishop called off the Christmas activities that normally draw tens of thousands of people to the city, including an annual Christmas "Dance Drama," and a traditional event for the chief minister of the state, governor and other dignitaries.

Bishop Mathias cancelled because of continuing tensions before the general election expected in a few months, reported a team of Aid to Church in Need (ACN) that visited the diocese.

Diocesan Vicar General Father Ignatius D'souza said they have cancelled all the major programs because the diocese was "concerned about fundamentalist activities." He said extremist might consider Christmas gatherings as an opportunity to strike.

The vicar rued: "We are concerned about fundamentalist activity. The extremists' strategy is very long term and they might see our diocesan Christmas activities as an opportunity to take action.

"Although we have very good security arrangements for the events and have an excellent relationship with the local police department here, we can't be too careful. You don't know the mind of those wanting to stir up trouble."

He also added that, the move is to express solidarity with the persecuted Christians in Orissa.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India recently urged dioceses to scale down Christmas festivities for 2008.