Keep me informed of any threats to the community -Sangliana to Archbishop

By Fr. Adolf Washington

Bangalore December 21:  Newly appointed Vice-Chairperson of the National Minorities Commission, Dr. H T Sangliana headed straight to the Archbishops' House in Bangalore after his return from New Delhi, to seek the prelate's blessings.  In the thirty-five minute meeting on 19th December the Archbishop congratulated Dr. Sangliana saying "God has placed a big responsibility on your shoulders. There are subtle attempts to demonize the community, level false allegations against the Church and church personnel and cause fear and threat to the community.  We wish that these issues are taken up at the Commission"  Archbishop, Dr. Bernard Moras said. 
Dr. Sangliana assuring the archbishop said "Keep me constantly informed of any kind of direct indirect threat or harassment to the Community, my appointment to the Commission is a calling from God, I will not compromise on any injustice done to the community.  All Minorities in this country should enjoy and exercise their constitutional rights."

The Archbishop informed Dr. Sangliana about a query letter addressed to the PRO of Bangalore Archdiocese Fr. Adolf Washington, from the State Minorities Commission saying "Why is the government asking us some questions of which they have the answers themselves". The query came up in the legislature from an MLA from Puttur seeking three years of financial records of all churches in Karnataka as to how much revenue the churches have paid to the Government of Karnataka.  The MLA also wanted information on how much financial assistance the Churches in Karnataka have received from the Government of Karnataka. "It is an open truth that the Churches have not received any assistance from the Government.  About revenue paid to the Government, the Government should have its records.  When you receive such kind of queries, please mark a copy to me and keep me informed" Dr. Sangliana told the Archbishop.

"There are other ways in which the community is harassed" the archbishop said, referring to a recent meeting of priests and pastors in Chickballapur called by the Circle Inspector "prohibiting them from going carol singing and confining activities within the Church compound. The police have indicated that there were complaints from people and so the prohibition".  The archbishop added, "How can a traditional an peaceful practice of carol singing that has been carried on for generations, be stopped?  Isn't this a kind of harassment and an attempt to create a fear in the commnity"

Reassuring the archbishop that such acts of the police are not right, he said he would make sure that no such orders are given by any police personnel in the state.  The Archbishop prayed with Dr. Sangliana after reading a report published by the CBCI (Catholic Bishops Conference of India) of his appointment.