Kottayam: The Catholic Church in India has come out strongly against the continued legal proceedings against the two Malayali nuns who were recently granted bail in Chhattisgarh, labeling the case as fabricated and demanding immediate cancellation.
CBCI President and Archbishop of Thrissur, Mar Andrews Thazhath, expressed relief at the bail decision but emphasized that the case filed was entirely baseless. “These sisters were falsely accused while merely accompanying Christian women for work at a hospital. This is not just an attack on individuals but an attack on Christian service and mission,” he stated. He insisted that the government must take steps to cancel the case and restore the dignity of the sisters.
His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the Orthodox Church, echoed similar sentiments. “Bail is not justice it is just a temporary relief. The false case must be withdrawn for justice to be served. If the state remains silent, such acts will be repeated against religious minorities. Those who carried out the public trial and incited mobs with cries like ‘Crucify them’ remain untouched. If action is not taken against them, the constitutional promise of religious freedom remains hollow,” the Catholicos warned. He drew a powerful parallel with the crucifixion of Christ, saying, “Truth was resurrected then, and it will be victorious again.”
Fr. Mathew Koyikkal, who has been actively involved in supporting the sisters, also expressed his gratitude for the bail decision. “We are thankful to all the political leaders, activists, and media personnel who stood with us during this difficult time. But bail is only the beginning. The baseless charges must be thrown out. This case is a stain on the values of justice and humanity.”
The Church has also taken strong objection to the way the sisters were paraded and subjected to a "public trial." There is increasing demand from bishops and Christian leaders for legal action against those who attacked the nuns, allegedly affiliated with extremist groups. Sources reveal that a formal representation may soon be submitted, calling for accountability and prosecution of those who violated the rule of law by detaining and intimidating the nuns in public.
The Prime Minister's Office is believed to have been briefed on the matter, while Bajrang Dal’s involvement in the original complaint has come under intense scrutiny.
The Church, while celebrating the collective effort that secured bail for the nuns, now seeks a larger moral and legal vindication by calling for the quashing of charges and action against vigilante elements.