By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Recently concluded two-day “Isai Mahasangam 2008” (Christian Lay Leaders Conference), held here in Bhopal has passed a resolution to commemorate 25th August as “Indian Christian Martyrs Day”.
Responding to this Archbishop of Bhopal, Dr. Leo Cornelio said that the sacrifice of the Christians of Orissa has to be remembered in a very unique way. “I think that this is the most exceptional way to remember their martyrdom”, he opined.
Fr. Anand Muttungal, Coordinator of Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh, (MPIM), said “it is on this day that maximum number of Christians sacrificed their lives in Kandamal, Orissa. We want to honour their sacrifice and keep them remembered forever. It will strengthen the faith of people”.
According to a Press release the MPIM organized the conference. The conference was attended by over 500 office-bearers of the MPIM from all over Madhya Pradesh. The meeting was organized to mobilize Christians before the forthcoming assembly elections to be held on 27th of this month. The meeting also congratulated the 10 Christian candidates from different political parties who trying their luck in the electoral contest. It is for the first time that the number of Christian candidates in the battle of ballot has increased from two to ten.
While introducing the issue Mr. Kurishinkal Josy, president of MPIM , said: “the great sacrifice done by the Christians of Orissa has to be remembered by the people of India. We will commemorate 25th August as Indian Christian Martyrs Day all over Madhya Pradesh. MPIM will remember it as a day to remember all those Christians since St. Thomas, the apostle, who were killed while serving the Lord.”
Adding to this Mrs. Sheela Shantiago, the women wing president, said that along with martyrs we will also honour the women who faced rape, molestation and insults in-front of mad men. Their sacrifice is not less than martyrdom.
Mr. Richard D’Silva, Media Incharge, said: “MPIM will appeal to all Christian organizations and Church officials to declare 25th August as Indian Christian Martyrs Day. He said that if this date is not suitable any other date can be fixed but their great sacrifice to strengthen the faith of Christians has to be remembered.”
MPIM has decided to write to all Church leaders and organizations to promote this day as Indian Christian Martyrs Day. “We will observe this day from now on. We will also remember and honour all those living persons too who suffered during the violence”, the MPIM release said. ([email protected])