Category - Orissa

Indian PM recognises Christianity as part of national life

Anto Akkara — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:19:10 +0000

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh observed that "Christianity is part of our national heritage" when general secretary of the World Council of Churches Dr Samuel Kobia called on him on at his residence in New Delhi.

India violence highlights global problem of religious extremism

agency reporter — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:32:53 +0000

The World Council of Churches' (WCC) general secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia has said that "one of the greatest problems facing the world today is religious extremism" - and that all faiths must be fully engaged in tackling it.

World churches' body maintains concern for global hotspots

staff writers — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:25:42 +0000

The executive committee of the World Council of Churches has used the opportunity of its latest gathering in Switzerland to maintain its active concern with many of the world's trouble spot and most pressing humanitarian issues.

Anabaptists tell of communal violence against Christians in Orissa

agency reporter — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:35:11 +0000

Anabaptists in India say they have been horrified that Christians have had to the jungle with nothing but the clothes on their backs, fearing for their lives because of communal violence in a country once known for religious tolerance.

Arrest made following anti-Christian attacks in India

staff writers — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:37:00 +0000

A senior Bajrang Dal leader in Karnataka has been arrested in connection with the widespread attack on Christian churches and prayer halls, police officials and the Indian Catholic Bishops Conference in India have announced.

Orissa's Christians still fear for their lives in the face of attacks

Ecumenical News International — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:04:10 +0000

Christians in Orissa, India, still fear for their lives and security, feeling 'helpless' in the face of persistent attacks from militant Hindu nationalists, says an ecumenical journalist who has investigated the tragedy.

Solidarity urged as churches face violence in India

staff writers — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:28:18 +0000

The Methodist Church in Britain has joined other churches and NGOs in calling for urgent support and prayer for thousands of hard-pressed Christians in India as violence flares across the state of Orissa.

Williams expresses concern about communal violence in Orissa

staff writers — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:32:52 +0000

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Willams has expressed great distress at the extreme violence being used between Hindus and Christians in Orissa, India, following the murder of Hindu leader, Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati, recently.

Global churches act on communal violence in India

agency reporter — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:15:51 +0000

The World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation have called on the Prime Minister of India requesting his intervention to end the violence in the state of Orissa. They are also backing Christian prayer and solidarity.

Indian government pressed for action on horrific Orissa violence

staff writers — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:58:51 +0000

Following a series of horrific attacks in Orissa, Indian church and human rights organisations have been keeping up pressure on the government for decisive action against militants, and are asking for world attention to the crisis.