Media Release
Chicago, Sep 10: The Indian American Christians of Greater Chicago joined by a host of leading church pastors, priests and leaders convened a united Christian Solidarity Prayer Rally to showcase unwavering support for the victims killed, injured and churches razed by the unabated brazen violence on Christians unleashed in the state of Orrisa in India. This united peaceful prayer rally -- held on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at the community hall in Desplaines, Illinois -- was complemented by the presence of a host of high-ranking representatives from leading churches and human rights organizations who joined in unison to condemn the gruesome attacks on Christian families that includes incidents of setting innocent children and nuns on fire.
The rally further vociferously decried the deplorable apathy of the state and central government in failing to protect the Christians families who are subjected to further misery of starvation and without shelter as they are forced to resort to hiding in jungles from the threat of relentless attacks. The prayer rally resolutely demanded the government to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation to the surviving victims.
Forging alliance with other leading Christians organizations, the Indian American Christians of Chicago land areas adopted an action plan that includes forging unity with Indian churches in Illinois, holding prayer rallies, generating newsletter to bring awareness, reaching out the mainstream churches for partnerships, providing financial aid to the victims, presenting a memorandum to the Prime Minister and the President, hosting an inter-faith dialogue and dedicating one Sunday for holding a Unity Prayer Day.
In line with the true spirit of Christianity, the representatives also condemned the killing of VHP leader Lakshamanda Saraswati by unknown, misguided Maoists and maintained that Christians have not and will not engage in killing or hurting any human beings, as it patently runs counter to the fundamental tenants of Christian faith.
Leading the prayer rally, Chairperson Varghese Chacko fervently addressed the church leaders and the pastors exhorting them to stand united in this hour of crisis and urged them to join the struggle in stopping the bloodshed and terror against the Christians and churches which is scorching Orrisa with unabated ferocity. Varghese Chacko demanded that the government should deploy additional troops of army in these affected areas and bring this unabated violence under control forthwith. Further, the government should set up relief and rehabilitation camps to provide for the families under terror hiding in the jungles without food and basic essential. Varghese Chacko said in the garb of "forced conversions", the radical elements are viciously killing innocent Christians who have established a proven record of serving the most deprived and rejected class of low-caste population in that neglected region, where no other organization is willing to step up. If there was a "forced conversion", how is that Christian population in India remains firmly at 2.3% since the last 60 years observed Varghese Chacko. He reminded these incidents as "national shame" in reference to the statements made by former Prime Minister Vajpayee and the current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the attacks on Christians. Varghese Chacko also pointed out such frequent episodes of violence against Christians could have a potential backlash by reduction in investments by outside companies and local corporations.
Joe Anthony Putenveetil, Co-Chair of the event, addressing outlined the series of events that includes the gruesome acts of setting innocent Nuns on fire and desecrating the holy bible by burning them and violating the sacrilege of the churches in Orrisa, India. These acts are horrendous in nature and defy human character. Joe Anthony Putenveetil recalled the history of how the Federation of Christians organization in United States has evolved, when there was a large scale violent attacks and killing of Christians in Gujarat and this took even a more serious turn when a large group of radical elements set afire killing Graham Staines and his two young children in Orrisa, India – this incident defies the most vile and spiteful inner character of these people. We will continue to show our righteous love, while they can show their inherent hatred against our Christian fraternity observed Joe Anthony Putenveetil. In this direction, we will hold more peace prayer rallies and candle-light vigils in churches to stop this carnage concluded Joe Anthony.
Austin D'Souza, a Manglorian Christian leader urged Christians in Chicago land area to pray and participate in peaceful rallies across Illinois until these horrendous attacks on Christians stop. Austin D'Souza predicted that their will be global outcry if the government of India does not stop the violence against Christian immediately.
Babu Varma, President of Midwest Federation of Christian Association out rightly condemned the attack on Christians and called these barbaric acts as counter-productive to the peace we Christians forge. Babu Varma also condemned the killing of the VHP leader and said we do not condone the attacks on any human being. Babu Varma said that it is not Christians who killed the VHP leader, but some misguided rogue elements that created this furor in order to quench their blood thirst anger against Christians which was simmering since the last two years.
Rev. Tyronne Crider, Sr, President of Pastors Network inspired the prayer rally pledging them the churches in this land will stand shoulder to shoulder in support of the cause that Indian American Christians are defending with such great unity of spirit. Rev. Tyrone urged the Christian leaders to continue to pray, as prayer alone with bring peace and bring to an end to this crisis.
Keerthi Ravoori, earlier welcoming the church leaders reminded that the Christians have great historical traditions in making noble contribution in advancing education and health care in India, which today has put scores of Indians on the scale of global excellence. There are over 45,000 Christian colleges and schools and over 5 million students comprising of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and other faiths are in these great institutions of learning and perhaps each of them will testify to the stellar character that these institutions have instilled in them. He added no school or hospital ever engaged in conversions on any individual. When they leave the portal of these fine educational institutions, they leave with sterling quality education to their credit, thus outshining others in this global environment. Keerthi Ravoori said that he will convene an Inter-Faith forum to engage in a dialogue to clear some inherent misgivings that exists.
Sanjay Thorat, President of Federation of South Asians Christians Associations urged that the Indian American Christians should adopt prayer as their weapon and he added that prayer alone can bring triumph over evil. Sanjay Thorat organized an All-Night Prayer Intercession for the victims in Orrisa.
Dr. Regi Paul, of Indian American Christians Children/Youth Organization pledged his unflinching support to this cause. John Kurikesu, Shaji Easo, Rev. Joseph K. Joseph, Rev. M.O. Jacob, Rev. Sunny Mathew, Goom Rajamani pledged support. Rev. Jaswant Singha expressed his willingness to stand up for this cause and said that he would do everything in his own right by writing news articles to bring attention to this crisis. Rev. David Sagar of Baptist Mission said that the entire communities of Baptists around the US have joined to pray for the victims. Rev. Loriza Wonsey, an African American pastor also joined the rally to show support to the affected Christians. Several other churches participated.
Earlier, Rev: M.J.Thomas National Co-Coordinator for the Evangelical Churches of North America open the meeting with prayer.