Investigation into Karnataka attacks disappointing, says Archbishop

The investigation into the attacks on churches in Karnataka is appearing biased and disappointing says the head of Catholic Church in Bangalore.

According to Archbishop Bernard Moras, the Justice Somashekar Commission inquiring the Hindutva violence on 30 churches in September 2008 is quoting Biblical scriptures out of context and even compelling priests to acknowledge 'proselytisation' by missionaries.

In a press release, the Christian leader defended Fr Joseph Menzes, who media quoted to have acknowledged idol worship in the Catholic Church to attract Hindus.

"The volley of questions posed to one of my priests by the advocates representing various Hindu organizations in the Justice Somashekar Inquiry Commission, and the manner in which the Holy Bible was quoted out of context during the examining of witnesses, has subtly generated from the priest the answers contrary to what the universal Catholic Church teaches," he said.

Responding to the media statement pointing idolatry by the church to allure Hindus, the Archbishop said, "The information being disseminated to the media that "idol worship" in the Catholic Church is a means to attract Hindus to Christianity, without first cross-checking the real teaching and practice in the Catholic church, appears to me, a deliberate attempt to create misunderstanding and discord between Hindus and Christians."

He further said, "The lawyers examining the priests have construed and even published the opinion of a priest, who was either misled or confused on the issues of faith as the official Church teaching."

He told the media that the opinion of an individual cannot be construed as the official Church teaching. "Therefore, to proclaim the opinion of a priest as the official Church teaching, not only creates misunderstanding and creates a rift between Christians and other communities," he said.

Meanwhile, Fr Menezes who faced the court interrogation said, he was confused and harassed by prejudiced and carefully drafted questions.

"I was only asked to say Yes or No and not given an opportunity to express myself or explain in detail the context of the teaching of Jesus. The Bible has to be studied in context and interpreted rightly," he added.

Archbishop Moras, in the press release has asserted that the Christian community is against proselytisation and also is aware that the Constitution guarantees everyone the 'Right to profess, practice and propagate' his/her religion.

"It is disappointing that our fulfilling the mandate of Jesus Christ of proclaiming our faith is construed as aggressive attempts of converting and Christianizing the country. There is a big difference between Proclaiming and converting. To consider both as meaning the same is sheer lack of proper understanding of the Christian faith," he explained.

The radical Bajrang Dal in Karnataka's Mangalore state spearheaded the September 2008 attacks where churches were vandalized and 53 Christians were injured in the Dakshina Kannada district and parts of Udupi district.

Karnataka ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "recorded at least 112 anti-Christian attacks across 29 districts in 2008," and at least 10 more such incidents have been reported this year, according to a report by the Global Council of Indian Christians.

The anti–Christian violence both in Karnataka – and in the eastern state of Orissa – have led to calls for a ban on Bajrang Dal and another militant Hindu organisation, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP, World Hindu Council).