Kochi: The Latin Catholic Church has issued a strong statement calling on both the Central Government and the Kerala State Government to urgently intervene in the arrest of Malayali nuns Sr. Preethi Mary and Sr. Vandana Francis, who were taken into custody in Chhattisgarh under controversial circumstances.
Describing the arrest as part of a larger pattern of rising hostility against Christian minorities, the Church warned that the charges of religious conversion and human trafficking added to the case are baseless and intended to malign the image of religious workers. It emphasized that such actions are deeply concerning in a democratic nation that professes secular values.
The Church particularly condemned the justification given by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who had suggested human trafficking might have taken place. "Such remarks, especially before the investigation is complete, only embolden extremist groups and cast doubt on the intent of a fair inquiry," the statement read.
Highlighting the broader implications, the Church pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, but rather part of an alarming rise in targeted violence against Christians. “From 2014 to 2024, there have been 4,316 reported incidents of violence against Christians in India. Each case reflects the deteriorating safety and dignity of minority communities,” the statement noted.
The Latin Church called the current episode “a blot on the secular fabric of India” and urged the Union government to uphold constitutional protections. It also demanded the immediate release of the innocent nuns and stringent action against those responsible for orchestrating the false case, including those involved in inciting communal tensions and pressuring authorities to take unlawful actions.
The statement concluded with a fervent appeal to all communities to stand united against communalism, and reminded the nation that “when service to humanity is punished, the soul of the nation is wounded.”