National United Christian Forum calls for prayer and fasting

New Delhi – The National United Christian Forum (NUCF), a Christian organization comprising of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) churches, has made a clarion call for prayer, fasting and letter campaign in response against the recent atrocities committed against the Christian communities all over India.

In a recent meeting, the NUCF discussed various issues concerning the Christian community, including, destruction to the places of worship, violence against pastors, priests, nuns and laity, imposition of anti–conversion laws in several states including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Orissa and now in Rajasthan.

"The recent developments in Rajasthan especially are cause for serious concern. The Rajasthan Assembly's decision to enact the Rajasthan Freedom of Religion Act is another measure to curtail the rights of religious minorities in the state," NUCF noted, adding, "There is a systematic tactic being followed in persecuting the Christian community that continues to believe in Peace, Forgiveness and Love."

According to a joint statement released by Rev. Howell of the EFI, Bishop D.K. Sahu of the NCCI and Archbishop Vincent Concessao of the CBCI, the acts of atrocities against the Christian community are "unjust, against human rights" and against constitutional norms.

"It is already high time that we, as one community, write to the Prime Minister and to his Government to take necessary steps to stop this and to protect our community," the Christian leaders urged.

NUCF had also called for a weekend of prayer and fasting (April 22–23) for the persecuted Christians in India.