from Akash Poojary (GA)
for Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (GA)
Bangalore, Jun 27: Karnataka Catholic Bishop's Conference (KCBC) has condemned the assault on Carmelite priest Fr Sylvester Pereira and others at Koteshwar near Kundapur in Udupi district on Monday June 25.
In a press note issued by the Conference Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore has said the attack is an attempt to provoke Christians who are a minority community and to disturb peace and harmony in the area.
The Karnataka Bishop's Conference has appealed to the chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, deputy chief minister B S Yadiyurappa, leader of the opposition and home minister to take immediate action against the accused.
As reported in these columns earlier on Monday Fr Sylvester Pereira and his companions had gone to a Hospital at Kundapur for treatment. Fr Sylvester was taken unawares when the youth attacked him with foul language and beat him in the hospital premises.
The press release stated that owing to the above incident the Christians in the state along with Karnataka Bishop's Conference feel insecure and disturbed.”In today's society it is impossible to dwell in peace with such unruly youth. The attack carried out without any reason proves beyond doubt that there is no proper security for Christians in this land," press note stated.
The Conference has asked the state police department and the government to take stern action against culprits immediately.