Christians oppose death sentences to convicts of serial blasts

Christians have opposed the court's decision handing death sentences to 11 people convicted of serial blasts on Churches in 2000.

"We would welcome harsh punishment," Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore said, but he pointed out that Church teaching opposes capital punishment, "no matter how severe the crime is."

The sentences should be seen as "a lesson" to people involved in repeated attacks on churches, Archbishop Moras told UCA News. Indians put "religious sentiments above their lives," and those attacking churches "should learn from this judgment."

"Whether the death penalty stands or not, I am happy that a severe punishment has been announced in the case, particularly in the context of growing attacks on churches," Archbishop Moras said.

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) meanwhile urged the government to commute the death sentences to life imprisonment.

Its president, Sajan K George said, Christians cannot support capital punishment as "we believe life as a pure gift" of God.

Capital punishment was awarded to 11 and life sentence to 12 others by a local court last month, in connection with the 2000 serial blasts in Churches across Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa.

The convicts who belonged to the Deendar Channbasaveshwara Anjuman sect, was convicted by the sessions court judge S M Shivanagoudar.

The accused had triggered six blasts in Andhra Pradesh, one each in Maharashtra, Goa and four in Karnataka. They were made to believe that blasts at churches in India would spark a civil war between Hindus and Christians. Consequently, a religious leader from Afghanistan would invade and conquer India, which would be converted into an Islamic nation.