Despite threats and rumors of attacks, parishes across Orissa’s violence-torn Kandhamal district celebrated Christmas this year peacefully.

“There were Christmas celebrations in all parishes, except one, this year,” said Father Mrutyunjay Digal, an official of Cuttack Bhubaneswar archdiocese that has 14 parishes in the district.

The priest said most parishes here could not celebrate Christmas in 2007 because of anti-Christian violence. The district also saw similar violence, led by Hindu extremists, for seven weeks starting Aug. 24, 2008. Most Catholics spent that Christmas in relief camps, he added.

This year, some suspected Hindu groups had threatened to disrupt Christmas celebrations on Dec. 24 and 25, according to media reports. These threats, however, did not materialize.

Krishna Kumar, the district collector, told UCA News his administration not only organized armed security for Christians this Christmas, “we have organized Christmas gatherings, where people of all faiths came together to celebrate.”

“We also organized peace meetings to ensure a peaceful celebration,” said the highest government official in the district.

Some Catholics also took the initiative to build bonds between Christians and Hindus. Teresian Carmelite Sister Christa for example, asked her Hindu neighbors to contribute toward a Christmas celebration.

“For every Hindu celebration, we contribute. Why can’t we take their contributions too?” asked the nun, whose convent, dispensary and computer center were attacked in 2007 and 2008.

She said her Hindu friends were happy to oblige.

However, there are still lingering fears among Christians.

Father Leo Parichha of Sukananda parish, which witnessed severe attacks in 2007 and 2008, said his people did not celebrate Christmas Eve midnight Mass because they were too frightened to come to church at night. “The fear of being attacked on the road is still very much there,” he added.

Source: Riot-hit Orissa experiences peaceful Christmas (UCAN)

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