Jenna Lyle has a piece today over at the Christian Post website titled Anglican Head Calls Christians to Express Horror at Orissa Violence and I want to encourage you to read it in its entirety. Here are a few passages to ponder.
Hindu extremists, some wielding machetes, have been on the rampage in the north-eastern state since the murder of Hindu leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati and four of his associates last month. Christian homes, orphanages and churches have been burned down, while 16 people have been killed. In one of the worst incidents, a young woman was burned alive when she tried to protect children from an attack on their Christian orphanage.
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The All India Christian Council said Christians in New Delhi went on a hunger strike on Tuesday to put pressure on the government to protect Christians in Orissa. Christian leaders and pastors are due to meet in the northern city of Chandigarh on Thursday to devise a “plan of action.”
Orissa has a long history of violence between Hindus and Christians, fueled particularly by the issue of conversions. The latest outbreak of violence follows a wave of Hindu attacks on Christians in Orissa last Christmas. Barnabas Fund said that many of the victims from the last attacks were still living in a refugee camp, awaiting the reconstruction of their homes.
Please remember Orissa in your prayers and ask the Lord to soften the hearts of those who do not yet know Him and are persecuting His children.
