Melbourne: The Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle, Melbourne joins the Synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) in strongly condemning the recent arrest and harassment of Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh, India. This incident reflects a disturbing rise in targeted actions against Christian communities.
The unjust treatment of women religious who dedicate their lives to prayer, education, and service is a violation of human dignity and religious freedom. “Our sisters serve the poor and vulnerable with compassion and humility. Their arrest is not only unlawful, it is deeply hurtful to the entire Christian community. We urge the authorities to act justly and protect the rights and safety of all citizens, regardless of faith.”
Bishop John Panamthottathil CMI, Eparchial Bishop of Melbourne, stated. The clergy and faithful of the Eparchy stand united in prayer with the affected nuns and all Christians facing persecution. We call upon the Government of India and the State Government of Chhattisgarh to investigate the incident and ensure accountability. We pray for peace, justice, and the protection of all religious communities in India.