The murder of a Catholic priest in India has stirred believers in the country to cry for more protection by the government amid continued Christian persecution.
Father Thomas Pandipally, 38, was found brutally tortured and murdered on the roadside at the town of Yellareddy on Aug. 17. The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) expressed "shock and anguish" and urged authorities to arrest the killers of the Catholic priest.
KCBC deputy secretary Father Stephen Alathara said it is "most unfortunate" that Christian missioners are being targeted in the country, while noting that Pandipally was the latest victim in a series of violent attacks on missioners.
Pandippally, a member of Carmelite of Mary Immaculate, was found murdered with multiple head injuries and more than 30 stabbings.
According to a Catholic source, the priest was assassinated on the night of Aug. 16, on the way back to his residence after attending a service at the Yellareddy parish in Nizamabad district.
Terribly shaken by the incident, Christian leaders in Andhra Pradesh expressed dismal over the murder, which they suspect is the handiwork of Hindu extremists opposing Christian missionary activities and the educational developments in the state.
According to the Rev. Father Alex Thannippara, a provincial superior of the CMI order, the state witnessed brutal and mysterious murders of Christian workers in the past eight years.
He pointed out incidents that occurred early this year when a mob of 500 people led by Hindu extremists prevented the Hyderabad archbishop from blessing the new building of an HIV/AIDS care center, and two years ago when the school where the slain priest worked was also targeted.
KCBC, which is a forum of bishops of Kerala's 29 dioceses, called on the federal and state governments to protect missioners who work for the marginalized and poor in the country. Many Christians in the country are losing faith in the country's ability to bring to justice those responsible for a string of communal attacks, according to Ecumenical News Service.
"The Church in India is shocked and deeply saddened by this barbarous killing, the result of a growing climate of intolerance and violence against Christians in this country," Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad said.
While saddened, the 65-year-old archbishop called Pandipally a martyr.
"He sacrificed his life for the poor and marginalized," Joji said. "But he did not die in vain, because his body and his blood enrich the Church in India, particularly the Church in Andhra Pradesh – the southeastern state where he died."
Pandipally, who hails from Kerala, was actively involved in education and social services. He joined the Chanda mission of the CMI on June 24, 1987, and was ordained a priest in 2002.
The Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (AFPC) has strongly condemned the gruesome massacre of Pandipally and demanded that violent communal groups be banned. The APFC said they would take up the case with the Chief Minister of AP and the State Minorities Commission.
In the last 8 months there were 27 major attacks against Christians in the state.
RSS
Thank You Wbmoore for returning to the Topic. More and more martyred for thier Christian Faith. Whether Rcc, reformer mainline Churches, Pentecost Etc.
there are Some Places for Union among Christians.
One Main Place is the Violence Against Christians.
The Religious fundamentalist dont know our Doctarinal Diferrences. they attack Only because of CHRIST.
View Some More recent attacks in INDIA @ http://orissaburning.blogspot.com/
tamna and Tallguy1000 are correct. Those who die in the name of Christ should be honored. I appologize for not keeping it sufficiently respectful and off of doctrine.
I have to agree with Tallguy1000 on this one.
Why can't people let it go. For the love of Pete a man was martyred for Christianity. Can't we stop with the doctinal disputes for just once? Sheesh.
The Pavlovian response by some on this board to anything that has the word "Catholic" in it is embarrassing.
I respect and give thoughtful consideration to the opinions of some of the people on this comment section (believer, wbmoore,). But guys, c'mon. The comment section to this story IS NOT the place to discuss eternal salvation, infant baptism, sprinkling versus immersion etc. I'll repeat it LET IT GO!!!!
We need to be grateful for what God is doing to bring people to faith in Christ. We need to pray God will cleanse all churches of bad doctrine. We need to be grateful God calls men and women of faith to go and share the Gospel of Christ.
If you do not like the idea of people coming to Christ through the efforts of people in a particular denomination, consider yourself called. God needs workers. The fields are white, ripe for the harvest, but the workers are few. Go! Go where ever God calls you to go. Share the truth of Christ.
As far as how they came to Christ, a number of the saved catholics I know came to Christ as a result of the charismatic movement in the late 60s and early 70s. For me it was the result of Navigator ministries, when I was stationed at Langley AFB in May 1971 two navigators shared with me for the very first time in my life God's plan of salvation and on Memorial Day night 1971, I became a child of God.
As a former catholic I know of many in the catholic church who are saved and I do know of priests who are preaching and teaching true salvation. And although many of the catholics I know have left the catholic church many have stayed. For those who have stayed many have shared they believe God wants them to stay so they can share His plan of salvation with other catholics. And like you wb I believe there are many in the catholic church who truly love God, but have never had the opportunity to hear His plan of salvation. They are truly doing good things for God but have missed out on His very best because they have never had the opportunity to come into a personal relationship with God through the person and finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ alone.
Some came to Christ through reading the Bible. Others through friends sharing. Some stayed in the RCC, others left. Some stayed because of family, others because they felt called by God to be there for various reasons.
Not all priests teach the party line. There are numerous groups within the RCC that hold varying doctrinal positions. In general, the RCC has a high regard for God the Father. Pentecostals have a high regard for God the Holy Spirit. Baptists have a high regard for God the Son. Different denominations and teachers/preachers add to or take away from each person in the trinity. None of us are perfect.
But it seems to me that when dealing with adults who do not know God, even the RCC shares what Christ has done. And they baptize peope who become new believers (granted, its sprinkling, but for me that's not a hill to die upon).
I could be wrong, but it seems to me anyone who would be a priest, pastor, missionary, or teacher, in some place where their lives are on the line would have to love God a great deal. I have a lot of respect for people in dangerous places sharing the need for, and love of, Christ - regardless of their doctrine. If the love for God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is there, and they preach the need for belief in Christ's saving work on the cross, I can't argue against that. The rest, well, that is for a different discussion on a different thread.
Not all martyrs for Christ have believed the same things. Some were Catholic (before RCC), some were RCC, some were Protestants of various denominations and doctrinal positions. But certainly, anyone who dies in the name of Christ, regardless of whether you agree with their doctrine, should be honored and respected. And we should pray that these events be used by God to bring others to faith and to strengthen the faith of those who believe, that others will be called to work the fields.
this is sad!...
Stay on the topic. The topic of this thread is about a Priest who was brutally killed, martyred for his faith in Christ. Does this man's life mean nothing to you? It seems like you couldn't care less.
Pray for Hindu and Muslim extremist to be converted to Christ. Pray for peace in India. That is what this discussion is about, let's join our voices together as one in prayer for peace and an end to the persecution in India.
In Christ <><...
this is sad!...
Stay on the topic. The topic of this thread is about a Priest who was brutally killed, martyred for his faith in Christ. Does this man's life mean nothing to you? It seems like you couldn't care less.
Pray for Hindu and Muslim extremist to be converted to Christ. Pray for peace in India. That is what this discussion is about, let's join our voices together as one in prayer for peace and an end to the persecution in India.
In Christ <><...
wbmoore - Did your Catholic friends that you believe are truly saved have they ever talked about how they came to faith in God? You know, have they ever gave their testimony of their salvation experience? Any Catholics I know that have been truly saved left the Catholic Church. Why didn't or don't they?
Tallguy
I went thru this with you before.
There is no salvation in infantile baptism. There is no salvation in confirmation if God did not first convict your heart that your are a sinner, in need of a Savior, and that Savior was Jesus Christ, and then gave you the grace to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Mental consent or repeating some statements at some kind of baptismal service is not salvation. No conviction of the heart, no salvation.
So Tallguy, are you counting on your infantile baptism and confirmation without conviction of the heart from God for your salvation? You woudln't answer me before are you goiong to answer me now? Tell the truth.
Besides, the topic of this thread is about a Priest who was brutally killed, martyred for his faith in Christ. Why, no matter what the topic, does some fundamentalist always feel the need to veer off in these other directions? Why?
Please stick to the topic. Did you even read the article? The topic is Christian Persecution in India. Pray for Hindu and Muslim extremist to be converted to Christ.
Quit worrying about whether Catholics are Christian or not, trust me, we are. Instead use your time more constructively. Get on your knees in prayer for an end to the persecution in India. Pray for peace in India. Better yet, quit hiding behind your keyboard picking on Catholics and patting yourself on the back. Instead book a one way flight to India, and spend the rest of your days more usefully by preaching the Good news of Jesus Christ to Muslims and Hindus who have never heard it! Do you have the nerve?
In Christ <><...
Amazing! Golly can it really be true? Can Catholics truly be Christian? Are Catholics truly saved?
You guys make me laugh, or maybe make me wanna cry in disgust and sadness for your ignorance. You sound like a couple of German Nazis who might have been discussing whether or not Jews are human.
Trust me, Catholics who are serious and sincere about their faith are every bit Christian. What part aren't you understanding? As I said, we are saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ. We had it first, we taught it to you.
Google and read Veritatis Splendor....
Of course, only God knows the heart. We can only measure evidence of fruit.
They had accepted the saving work of Christ as the way to be with God. They had accepted Christ's lordship. They read the Bible, prayed to God (not to saints or Mary, but to God himself), lived a holy life. I'm not saying they were perfect, anymore than I am or you are. But there was evidence of a changed life.
wbmoore -
"I also know some in the RCC who I would not doubt their salvation."
How do you know that they are truly saved?
Faith in Christ's saving work on the cross is the only way to salvation. I disagree strongly with certain doctrines held by the RCC. However (and I know some will strongly disagree), I also know some in the RCC who I would not doubt their salvation.
I find the same is true for people in all other denominations. I think easy believism makes it quite difficult for many people to be truly saved. I think adding, or taking away, to the work of Christ is something else the devil uses to make it hard for people to trust Christ. But even so, there are some in every denomination who call Christ Lord that I have found have faith in Christ (perhaps because they do not follow their denominations teaching or example?), even if I think the rest of their doctrine is wacky. :)
I know if people can come to faith through visions and dreams, as is happening worldwide, people can come to faith in chruches with bad doctrine.
I have never been part of a church of people who do not sin. If it was perfect before I got there, I ruined it. I'm a sinner. I've never been part of a denomination I think "has it right" in all areas. I think I understand the word of God quite well in most areas. However, I think there is room for honest civil disagreement in some areas. But just because I'm willing to have honest discourse does not mean I do not think there is only one right answer.
I often ask myself if "this" is a hill I would die upon. The facts that God exists, loves us, is righteous, is holy, is just, sent His Son to die for our sins, resurrected Him on the third day, and expects us to be holy are some of those hills.
...
How arrogant and unkind of you! You don't even know me, you have not walked beside me today, you have no idea of who I am. Yet you presume that I don't walk in the Spirit of Christ, you presume that I am stuck in some sort of sin, you presume way too much! You don't know me. How very arrogant, prideful! How unfair!
Again, I'll repeat...I am saved by Grace through Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I have learned over the years to "Live in the Spirit, not of the flesh". I allow Jesus to work in my life so that I may more readily do God's will. I ask God daily to "fill me with His Holy Spirit". I try my best to live 24/7 for Jesus.
So, please don't worry about me, I just might have a deeper relationship with Jesus then you can even begin to imagine. Who knows, I might even have a deeper relationship with Jesus then you do? But then I can's say that because I really don't know you. How are you remaining (abiding) in Him?
Tallguy - The RCC is not the pathway to God and it will not result in salvation. Your infantile baptism did not save you and your confirmation did not either. Until God draws you to Jesus, convicts your heart of your sins, that Jesus died for you and rose from the dead and until you surrender to that revelation from your heart you are still lost in your sins. Sorry buddy, you are still dead in your sins because I suspect that has never happended to you.
...
yawn, same old same old....
Don't worry so much about the Catholics, we are saved by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Instead get outside and spend your time as Jesus suggests by giving food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, drink to the thirsty. Or is it just easier to sit at home and hide behind your keyboard slamming Catholics?
Dont waist your time slamming the Holy Catholic Chrurch, instead brother be a real hero and spend your time preaching Christ to a Muslim today, or do you have the nerve?
Be a real hero, join us at the next Pro-life rally in your neighborhood, be a Christian,get to know us for who we sincere Catholics really are before you type out your flippant comments.
In Christ <><...
wbmoore - I didn't say that there wasn't only one Christ. I am saying that the Chirst that the Catholics believe in is not the Christ of the Bible. They have added and taken away so much from Him that He no longer looks like the Christ of the Bible. I am sorry, the RCC is not the way of salvation. If you think that it is, then I feel sorry for you.
There is only one Christ. Whether someone preaches something else, or attempts to add to the work of Christ, there is only one Christ by whose name man must be saved.
In India historically, Hindus and Christians have lived in relative peace since the arrival of Christianity in India from the early part of the first millennium.
Then Hindus who converted to Christianity typically retained their social customs, including caste practices.
Many Christian ideals prompted reform movements within the Hindu society in the 19th century, the most notable being the Brahmo Samaj, which was influenced by British Christian Unilateralism.
Some Indian Christians have retained Hindu customs and practices, and have combined Hindu customs with Christianity to achieve a unique brand of Indian Christianity.
In more recent times, Hindu-Christian amity is sometimes challenged by partisan politics and extremism from both communities.
Christian missionary activity among lower-caste Hindus has created groups of Crypto-Christians, particularly among Dalits.
As a response to allegedly aggressive missionary activity four Indian states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu mainly) have passed laws restricting or prohibiting religious conversion
Meanwhile Muslims in India and Pakistan who convert to Christianity have been known to be subjected to harassment, intimidation, and attacks. In Kashmir, a 50 year old Christian convert named Bashir Tantray was killed, allegedly by Islamist militants, on November 21, 2006.
A Christian priest, K.K. Alavi, who is a convert from Islam, recently raised the ire of his former Muslim community and has received many death threats. An Islamic militant group named "The National Development Front" actively campaigned against him.
Thanks Tamna.
This is Catholic bigotry at its lowest mark. Sad. Very sad.
Msnchris70
It is absolutely beyond me how anyone could give a "thumbs down" to any of the comments posted here. What is wrong with the person/people who gave the "thumbs down?" Is your/their hatred for the Catholic Church such that they would revel in the martyrdom (yes, that is what it was - just like the Protestant missionaries that were killed in the same country a while ago) of a priest doing God's work?
In my opinion the person/people who gave "thumbs down," whether they claim to be a Christian or not, should be ashamed.
Father Thomas Pandipally, rest in peace. May the peace, love and joy of Our Lord be with you for all eternity.
This is a sad situation and a horrible attack. May God continue to build up more faithful Priests like this Father Pandipally, so that the Gospel continues to grow in this Heathen country.
I will pray through the intercession of Saint Thomas who originally brought the Gospel to India, that all Christians may be free to practice their Christian faith.
May God use this to bring many people to faith in Christ.
Fr Pandipally you were a man of God, from God to planet earth, you served the Lord, you are a martyr, the Catholic Church has withstood many persecutions, trials and tribulations, but the foundation is strong, the Church and its missionaries will survive and his blood has not been shed in vain, the truth is hard,God is truth, and the truth will prevail at the end and open the eyes of all the communally blind heathen of this world that one day our Living God will be alive to all those who are blind with their evil God. Praise the Lord Fr Pandipally is safe in the arms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Rest in peace Father Thomas Pandipally