Nun rallies in support of Orissa's Christians. (Reuters)
Sister Nirmala Joshi met today with the leader of the violence-torn Indian state of Orissa.
Sister Nirmala, who succeeded Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in 1997 as superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, asked Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patniak to work to end the current wave of anti-Christian violence, the Indian Catholic reported.
The violence in the eastern Indian state began after fundamentalist Hindu leader Laxmanananda Saraswati was shot and killed Aug. 23.
While there is no evidence Christians were involved in Saraswati’s death, Hindu extremists blamed Christians and more than 50 people, mostly Christians, have died in retribution attacks.
Sister Nirmala said Orissa’s police force must investigate allegations that Christians engineered Saraswati’s murder.
“Truth must prevail,” she said.
The nun also expressed hope the Orissa government would take measures to stop the anti-Christian violence.
“I have faith,” she said. “Having faith encourages one to do good work.”
Lawmakers plan to bring the issue of anti-Christian violence in Orissa before India’s parliament when its winter session convenes Oct. 17, the Union of Catholic Asian News reported Oct. 7.
— Tom McFeely
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