Persecuted at home, Orissa Christians pray for nation’s prosperity

Bhubaneswar – In the wake of the recent wave of atrocities perpetrated by the Hindu extremists against the minority communities, especially Christians, a day of fasting and prayer was arranged by the local believers who wished prosperity for the nation and an end to anti–Christian violence.

"There is an urgent need now" for all Churches to pray together for protection and prosperity, said Church of North India (CNI) Bishop Rueben Senapati of Cuttack, speaking on the occasion.

According to the bishop, the May 31 program was the result of the cumulative effort of over 20 denominations of the Church that felt that the pro–Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP–led state coalition government was indifferent to the predicaments faced by the minority communities.

A similar program was held last year when the general elections to elect the central government were underway, which, the bishop claims, had a positive outcome leading to the ouster of the BJP, that wanted to turn India into a Hindu theocratic state, from the Center. “God heard our united cry," the bishop said.

The program, whose theme was "To appeal to God to consolidate the federal government at the center and to protect the Churches thereby," witnessed several leaders praising the current government under whose reign there was a marginal decline in attacks on churches and missionaries.

However, the participants, that spent some time in silent prayers, singing and presenting messages, also voiced their concerns over the rise in religious persecutions in some states like Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Incidentally, a guideline for the program instructed participants not to condemn or criticize anyone or mention any religious group or political party. Another guideline was not to speak about Church doctrine, but to use only verses from the Bible instead.

The Christian leaders prayed for national political leaders, the spread of religious harmony, eradication of poverty and unemployment, and for legislators to be inspired to make laws that expedite the country's development. They also prayed for the smooth conduct of by–elections in some states to fill vacancies in their respective legislative assemblies. The next state assembly election in Orissa is not due until 2009.

According to the Church of North India (CNI) Pastor Rev. Solomon Mohanty, the participants especially prayed for the public welfare, good governance and safety and protection of Churches from communal elements.