Massive protest in Canada on Christian Church attacks in India
By Gerry D’Mello, Bendur
Daijiworld media network, Canada
Sep 21: In order to bring to the notice of the Western World, the Human Rights Commissions in North America and the Government Authorities in Canada regarding the atrocities against Christians and the failure of the State to protect the lives of the clergy and the minority community in various parts of India, a meet was held in order to use their diplomatic channels and representations to pressurize the Indian Government to take action. The Indo-Christian community of Canada organized the protest meet at the City Hall, in the Canadian city of Mississauga on September 20, 2008. This event was attended by prominent Indo-Christian community leaders and a large number of Indo-Christians residing in Canada.
The protest meet started with a blessing by ‘Guruji’ Fr.Joe Mary Lobo, a visiting Indian Priest to Canada. In his address he shared his experience of past 30 years working in an ashram at Bidar, Karnataka amidst peace loving Hindus. He lamented, “Why then these atrocities, why desecration of our Blessed Sacrament and Holy images?” He also narrated how love and peace preached by Mahaveera, Buddha and following to Jesus’ teachings, Mahatma Gandhi preached and practiced it. He blamed a small group of fanatics who brought shame to Hinduism thus urging to pray for these miscreants. He also expressed his shock towards the attitude of the State Government for not taking any steps immediately and justifying beyond anyone’s apprehension. He said that as a result of persecution in India on Christians, everyone will come to know the truth of love and service of Christianity. Before concluding with a prayer he urged everyone to forgive them as Christ forgave everyone from the Cross!
This was followed by a speech by Melissa Bhagat, a Conservative Candidate for House of Commons, Canada. If elected, she expressed her desire to serve and to become the voice of Canadians of Indian origin in the Parliament. She strongly opposed violence in India against the Christians. She said, “Being a Christian country, Canada respects all religions and allows non-Christians to practice their religion so peacefully.”
Next Rev. George Matthew, a Pastor at a Jacobite Church in Toronto, expressed his grief over recent incidents against Christians in India. He complimented the organizers for organizing such a protest meeting in Canada. He stated, “Our responsibility does not end today, but it will continue everyday by praying to the one who is in control - our Lord Jesus.”
Fr. Henry Alva, former Rector of Capuchins in Bangalore, later addressed the crowd with a powerful message. “We are here not to condemn anyone but to spread the peace of Christ. Some people may say, ‘Thank God we are not in India, we are not facing any troubles or problems in Canada like our brothers and sisters are facing in India now.’ It is not about the troubles or problems but it is a matter of human rights as laid in the Indian Constitution article 25-28, a right to religion and right to worship to every person in India and this right no one can take away from any Indian,” he opined. He continued, “I am afraid that the words of Winston Churchill, the Prime-Minister of England when India attained Independence seems to be coming true – ‘These scoundrels will tear the country apart and disintegrate it in 50 years.’ ” He called some of the politicians in India ‘barbaric’ for not knowing their constitution and the philosophy of religion that they follow. He questioned, “How shameful it is to throw a stone at your own mother?” He also expressed his shock about the brutality shown on women and children by the police force. “I thank God for the good leaders that we have. Thus, we must never allow our beloved motherland India to be torn apart,” he concluded.
Max Mendes, the Chairman of Canara World Foundation Inc. & Max Mendes Group, a renowned business house in Canada, delivered the Key Address. He affirmed, “Blessed are we who are in Canada, where the freedom to express our religion and to follow our faith is guaranteed without any fear or persecution.” He also gave a brief scenario of recent barbaric happenings and injustice done to minority Christians in India by the Hindu terrorists. He said, “We the Christians follow the teachings of Christ by showing our love through our dedicated service in the field of education, health-care and old-aged homes.” He appreciated the heroic protest shown by our youth and fellow Christians in safeguarding our Churches and religious Shrines. He gave a clarion call to protest strongly against the injustice and atrocities faced by innocent minorities in India.
In a very special way, Mendes thanked Daijiworld and other web portals for keeping us updated about the happenings in India time to time when the main media in India failed miserably to give a proper coverage of injustice against Christians in India. He thanked everyone for coming in large numbers and commended their solidarity for a worthy cause.
The guest appearance by Mr. Dwayne Ryan Menezes, Managing Director of Dwayne Ryan in United Kingdom was an added attraction. The three incidences which he narrated regarding the brutality against Christians in India were heartbreaking.
The petitions addressed to Hon. Prime Minister of Canada, High-Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, the local Government and the Indian Government were signed by the members of the Indo-Christian community in Canada.
The programme concluded with the blessing given by Fr.Austin Francis, a Capuchin priest. Before the blessing, he admired the richness of Hindu culture, which is our own culture too and that is the reason why we are proud to call ourselves as Indian Christians. He stated, “The time of Hitler has returned to Indian states of Orissa, Gujarat, Kerala and now Karnataka.” He urged everyone to pray, not only for the victims, but also for the conversion of the persecutors.
The programme was ably anchored by Donald Alva- a popular personality and a renowned compere in Mississauga, Canada.
Over 500 Indo-Christians attended this historical protest in Canada and showed their solidarity to their motherland, India. Hats off to Max and Nancy Mendes for their dynamic leadership in organizing such a great protest meeting and to the core-team consisting of Donald Alva, Joyson D’Souza, Noel Pereira, Osbert D’Souza, Paul and Irene Mathias, Vivek Veigas, Vijay Dante, Wilson D’Souza and Flavian Pinto for organizing this successful protest meeting in a very short time to support our beloved brothers and sisters in India.
Protest Against Church Attacks: