eni-summary list Ecumenical News International News Highlights 10 December 2002

Indian Christians warn of nationalist agenda as Gujarat goes to the polls

Ahmedabad, India (ENI). Christians in the Indian state of Gujarat are warning about what they claim is the Hindu nationalist agenda of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the state prepares for elections on Thursday. The BJP’s election manifesto includes several proposals Christians believe to be directed against minorities, including a law to ban religious conversions. “By openly reiterating its divisive agenda, the BJP is trying to polarise the Hindu majority against the religious minorities,” said Church of North India Bishop Vinod Kumar Malaviya of Gujarat. [358 words, ENI-02-0447]

Hounded Roman Catholic priest will leave Zimbabwe reluctantly

Harare (ENI). A Roman Catholic priest driven from his parish in eastern Zimbabwe last summer under threat from militants of the ruling political party has announced he is leaving the country after church and other officials were unable to ensure his safety. “Zimbabwe is a beautiful country and it saddens me that I have to leave under such circumstances. I pray that one day sanity will once again prevail in the country,” said the Rev. Patrick Kelly, an Irish national. [347 words, ENI-02-0448]

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