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Black Christmas Crib / Manger & Fast to mark Orissa Anniversary |
Protest Appeal to Halt Pre-Christmas Violence
Orissa Bloodbath Continues - Worse than Mumbai Terror
Activists of The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), a Mumbai-based community NGO undertook a day's fast to mark the first anniversary, since anti-Christian violence shook Orissa and showed a marked increase since in at least 8 states in the country. They were protesting against Government's inaction in the Orissa and called for protection in the wake of pre-Christmas attacks on the community. Alongside the activists on fast at Azad Maidan was a Black Christmas Crib or a manger depicting the birth of Jesus. A similar one was torched near Nagarcoil in Tamil Nadu, last week and threats issued to do so in other places too. Yet another cathechist (pastor/priest) was murdered this week and The CSF received reports of pre-Christmas violence from Orissa and at many other states, such as -
* A Christmas Crib at Kulasekaram village, 35 km from Nagarcoil, was torched on 16, December.
* Hindu extremists attacked a Christmas function on 14, December in Bangarapet, Kolar, Karnataka.
* In Sangur, Punjab, Operation Mobilization (OM) workers were allegedly attacked on 2, December 2008.
According to Joseph Dias, general secretary, The CSF, attacks by non-state players has increased in vigour, during the run-up religious for Christmas. The saffron brigade has reduced freedom of religion to a farce in Orissa, where there has been no respite for a year, despite assurances by the union and state governments. In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and other political leaders said they would sound insincere, merely rendered lip-service to Christians by wishing them on Christmas this year, as is traditionally done. This is since not much has been done about the plight of the community in 2008. There has been no let up in the attacks on Christians and the potential danger of attacks increasing during Christmas is even more.
Despite the calling off of the proposed Christmas bandh, Orissa continues to be a communal cauldron and according to The CSF, the mob terror unleashed by the fundamentalists in Orissa makes it equal, if not more disastrous than the Mumbai terror attacks. The government and citizens therefore need to pay equal, if not more attention to communalism and mob terror, if India's secular fabric is not to be torn asunder by extremist elements. The CSF general secretary, Joseph Dias compares the Orissa and Mumbai terror to show how on many counts, the eminent danger from the saffron brigade was worse.
In Orissa, the situation has not improved, as even this Christmas, religious service will be held by over 12,000 persons are in 9 relief camps in Kandhamal district alone and an equal number in another 13 affected districts, like Jharsuguda or Bherampur. At least another 30,000 are hiding in the forests of Orissa and thousands of families fleeing to the state capital Bhubaneshwar or other states, like Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi or Goa. The conditions in Orissa relief camps are similar to Nazi concentration camps, where inmates are starved and medical conditions are pathetic. Infliction of atrocities continues on those who return to their homes and persecution has reached alarming proportions. Even pregnant mothers and infants are not spared. Normalcy has not returned to the state, a year after the last Christmas eve attacks and 4 months after bloodbath caused by Swami Saraswati’s death. India is only second to Iraq in the death toll due to terrorist attacks as recorded by the National Counter-Terrorism Center in Washington DC. This doesn’t account for premeditated mob violence which is increasingly targeted at minorities as seen in the ethnic cleansing of dalit and tribal Christians.
The protesters also called upon the PM, Home Minister, Chief Ministers & Political Leaders to give same priority to communalism, if India is to justify its place in the comity of nations, as a developed country of the world.
Click here to view The CSF Open Letter - No Home for Christmas |
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1090 - All India Toll-free Terror Help-line
In case you come across any suspicious activity, any suspicious movement or have any information to tell to the Anti-Terror Squad, please take a Note of the new ALL INDIA TOLL-FREE Terror Help-line "1090". Your city's Police or Anti-Terror squad will take action as quickly as possible.
Remember that this single number 1090 is valid all over India. This is a toll free number and can be dialed from mobile phones also. Moreover, the identity of the caller will be kept a secret. Let us make each and every citizen of India aware about this facility. |
Dr. Ansar Burney Presents The CSF - Mother Teresa Memorial Certificate
Dr. Ansar Burney, the Expert Advisor to the United Nations Human Rights Council at Geneva, Switzerland was in Mumbai, India to receive the International Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice, instituted by the Harmony Foundation. Among the National Awardees were included, Fr. Joe Pereira of Kripa Foundation & Dr. John Dayal of the All India Christian Council. Dr. Ansar Burney, who is an international human rights activist from Pakistan, also gave the Harmony Foundation's Mother Teresa's Memorial Certificate for Activism to Joseph Dias, general secretary of The CSF for his role played in animating protests, throughout India, in the face of the recent anti-Christian violence. He specially commended The CSF for being at ground zero in Orissa, Mangalore, Bangalore, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, New Delhi, United Nations, etc. to pressurise the authorities to act. The CSF was also invited to play an international role in the world human rights movement. The CSF also provided Dr. Burney all details of the anti-Christian violence in India and urged him to raise the issue effectively at the United Nations, which he promised he would do.
For Those Who Don't Know !
Dr. Ansar Burney, former Pakistan Human Rights Minister & International HR Activist, is best known for his spirited advocacy of clemency for scores of Indian prisoners, besides having to his credit, the distinction of having secured the release of around 7,00,000 prisoners worldwide. He has been instrumental for the release of several Indian prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails. The most prominent being Sarabjit Singh, whose death sentence in Pakistan, was converted to life imprisonment for which he is considered as "god" by Sarabjit's family. Similarly, his personal intervention resulted in Kashmir Singh on the death row (an Indian prisoner arrested in 1973) for espionage, being pardoned by Gen. Musharaf, then President of Pakistan on February, 2008.
Mr. Ansar Burney was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council and was commended by the US State Dept. for being being in the forefront for combating child slavery in the Middle East, where kidnapped children are used as camel jockeys. He was the first to introduce the concept of human rights in Pakistan, a nation where the rule of law is virtually non existent and human rights degradation rampant. The first international award was given to Baroness Caroline Cox, the Deputy Speaker – House of Lords, United Kingdom for worldwide humanitarian work. The second international award was given to Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, the architect of modern Malaysia who developed his country, by promoting harmony in a pluralistic society against all divisive forces. |
CARDINAL IS BACK. PRAISE THE LORD.
PRAYERS WORK. KEEP IT GOING FOR OUR CARDINAL:
Dear Friends in Christ,
You will be happy to know that Cardinal Oswald Gracias is back yesterday in Mumbai, is recuperating fine & expressed his heartfelt gratitude for those who kept him in their prayers.
Praise & Thank God for Your Prayers. Hundreds from India & parts of the globe, have responded to the news of Cardinal Ossie being ill with a rare form of cancer. Together, we have moved God & you will be happy to know that Cardinal Oswald Gracias is responding well to treatment. In fact, the doctors at the hospital in Washington, USA today said, he might not have to undergo chemotherapy and medicines would do fine. Let us all continue in our prayers for the speedy recovery of our beloved Cardinal, who has truely been a 'father' and shepherd in the footsteps of our Master - Jesus Christ.
Your Servant in the LORD's Service - Joseph Dias |
Please Pray for Cardinal Oswald Gracias, diagnosed with a rare cancer, been operated upon & undergoing treatment in Washington, USA. Kindly click here to Send a "Get Well Soon Message".
I feel sad and distressed to inform the clergy, the religious and the faithful of the archdiocese that Cardinal Oswald is suffering from health problems. Keeping in mind the importance of Cardinal Oswald’s position in the archdiocese (as Archbishop), in the country (as President of the CCBI and Vice President of the CBCI) and in the Universal Church (he is now Cardinal), it is imperative that we enter into a period of fervent and sustained prayer for Cardinal Oswald’s quick return to complete health and strength ... +Bosco Penha, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay |
IMPORTANT APPEAL:
The CSF is setting-up a major DATABANK, which will be of great service to the community to meet the challenges we are presently confronting. Nothing of this kind exists in India & the expenses for the same are expected to be Rs. 2,50,000 or US$ 5555 approx. This will be for office, staff, systems, stationery, etc. We are looking for partners, who are prompted or blessed by the LORD to help us out. If you feel called to defray the costs, please send your contact details to thecsf.ceo@gmail.com |
The CSF Protest March from St. Peter's Church to Mount Mary's, Bandra
Hundred Oriya Christians along with The CSF & others petition the United Nations
• Blankets and other necessities being distributed. Union Minister Oscar Fernandes seen in the pic.
• On Gandhi Jayanti eve, The CSF takes the Battle to New Delhi - UNO, Mahesh Bhatt et al
• Addressing the Christians Dharna at Jantar Mantar, with Archbishop Vincent Concessao
• First Batch of 100 Kandhamal Christians Brought to UNO Headquarters
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 CSF Distributes 1000 Bibles in Orissa - DD To Cardinal
Reacting to reports emanating from the Archbishop's House in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa that many Bibles were vandalised and destroyed in the violence against Christians, The CSF handed over to Cardinal Oswald Gracias, a Demand Draft for 1000 Bibles to be given to Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, SVD of Cuttak.
The Bibles are in Oriya to make it possible for the locals to read their local language. It is our small token of standing up in solidarity with the persecuted Christians in Orissa, besides our other means of protest.
It may be recalled that, The CSF was the first Catholic NGO to rush to their aid, by highlighting their plight to the media, with Mahesh Bhatt, Dr. Mathai and others. Our team also went to Orissa to distribute aid to those suffering and in dire straits. |
Be a Blessing. Bless someone NOW.
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What are you waiting for ... Your logging on to www.thecsf.org will make someone's day a little brighter - without you spending a rupee !! The CSF or its partners will foot the bill !!!
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Bishops' greetings / speak:
Dear Mr. Joe Dias,
Thank you for your wonderful apostolate. I appreciate your latest venture. I was touched by the story you sent me. And thanks so much for your Christmas gift I received a few days back. Keep up your beautiful work. My prayer and warm regards,
- Bishop Ferdinand J. Fonseca
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Dear Joe,
Thank You for all you do to keep alive the challenging messages of Jesus. God bless you in this Holy Season and may your life and work in 2008 be blessed further by the Lord.
- Archbishop Dominic Jala, sdb, Shillong.
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Spiritual Bouquets for ...
 The CSF salutes the Media (Press & Electronic), who helped highlight the horror in Orissa, Catholic Bishops Conference of India and the various state / regional Catholic conferences, who all stand tall in their campaign for Orissa.
Secular, Minorites & Christian NGOs & leaders, like the All India Christian Council, Mahesh Bhatt, Dr Abraham Mathai, Dr. Azimuddin come next.
Of course, Dr. John Dayal & the fact-finding team , who prepared the preliminary non-official white paper need to be commended most.
The Archdioceses of Delhi and Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, Dioceses of Rourkela and Berhampur, Union, the United Christian Forum of New Delhi & The CSF, Mumbai also played a vital role.
We join and applaud the efforts of different denominational Churches in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, under the able leadership of Catholic Archbishop of Bhopal, Dr. Leo Cornelio, who launched a highly successful email campaign for Orissa, co-ordinated by Fr. Anand Muttungal.
We urge all concerned to write a protest note to the below emails, marking a copy to thecsf@vsnl.net for us to follow-up on.
- Joe Dias, General Secretary, The CSF
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R U Blessed ? Be a Blessing !
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challenge you to think & learn about love & life
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And a lot much more.... So what are you waiting for ?
Rush on the above 3 counts and lets get this community forum going, that the Lord may say of us - "Well done, good & faithful servant".
Keep in touch ! Keep us in your prayers, even as we remember you, daily - as we pray. You may use any of the above email ids for prayer requests or testimonies.
Your Servant in the Lord's Service
Bro. Joe Dias
Founder, The CSF
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