The head of the Catholic Church in Gujarat in India called on state Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel to take immediate and stringent action against those who have insulted the pope and Catholic priests and nuns.
In a March 21 letter, Archbishop Thomas Ignatius Macwan of Gandhinagar drew the chief minister’s attention to a recent viral video clip where a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (world Hindu council) leader is shown using “demeaning, uncouth and crass words” in Gujarati to make “obnoxious, shameful and hurtful statements against the pope” and cast aspersion on the integrity of nuns and priests.
“He has hurt the sentiments of more than 1.4 billion Catholics all over the world,” said the 70-year-old archbishop.
He said the Hindu leader made “the hate speech” at a function in Kadi, a village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, where Catholic priests have for years served special children, the aged and the “so-called unwanted of our society” irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
“We want you to book the said VHP leader and the organizers of the event in Kadi inciting the people by organizing such Hate Campaign and take stringent action against these hooligans,” said Bishop Macwan.
The prelate bemoaned that Christians in the state now experience extreme insecurity because of the increasing attacks, intimidation and “vitriolic hate speeches” against the community by sectarian and criminal groups.
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