Christian families displaced by the violence in India’s Odisha state in 2008. / Credit: Aid to the Church in Need
Bangalore, India, Mar 31, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
AteamofhalfadozenCatholicnunsandlawyershavewarnedofincreasingincidentsofoppositiontoChristianfuneralsandhatecampaignsagainsttheChristiancommunityinaneasternIndianstate.
Thegroupsoundedthealarmaftermakingafact-findingvisittoseveralremoteareasundertheBalasoreDioceseinthestateofOdisha.
“Whatweheardfromthepeopleinthevillageswasshockingtous,”SisterClaraD’Souza,amemberoftheHandmaidofMaryCongregation,toldCNAonMarch27.
“Ourfact-findingreporthasdetailsofincidentsoftribalHindugroupsprotestingandobjectingtoChristianfuneralservicesandevenSundayMass,starting[beforeChristmas],”shesaid.
“Aswereleasedthefact-findingreport,athirdcaseofaChristianfuneralobstructionhappenedonMarch22,”D’Souzaadded.
FatherAjaySingh,amemberofthefact-findingteam,saidthetroubleforChristiansintheHatigarhareabeganonDec.18,2024,whenHindutribalactivistsdemonstratedagainstthef
