UCA News
Contribute

Church says suspect is 'not Christian'

Alleged member of Muslim militant group is not one of us, say Catholics
Church says suspect is 'not Christian'
Published: June 16, 2011 08:54 AM GMT
Updated: June 16, 2011 08:54 AM GMT

The Church in central India has denied police claims that a youth arrested with nine other suspected members of a terror group is a Christian. Madhya Pradesh’s anti-terrorism police on Tuesday arrested ten suspected members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in Khandwa. India and the US have labeled it as an Islamic terror group. Upon releasing their names the police claimed one of them, Babbu Dominic, 21, was a Christian. Father Philip Kaduthanam, Khandwa diocese’s public relations officer, dismissed the claim. “We checked Church records and can confirm the arrested person is not a Catholic,” he said yesterday. The priest also said the Church maintains thorough records on people who practice the faith and follow its norms. “This name does not appear in any of our records and he has not been seen at any of our church activities,” he added. A person is not necessarily a Catholic or a Christian just because he has a Christian name, he asserted. Alex John Pereira, general secretary of the Khandwa Cathedral parish, who was born and brought up in Khandwa, said the arrested youth does not belong to any Christian denomination. The youth’s father, Dominic Das, claims his son was not involved with the SIMI and that his only crime was knowing an arrested Muslim youth. He said police arrested his son while he was returning home after collecting his daily wages. Related Report: RIOTS OVER KORAN BURNING RUMOR CLAIM 16 LIVES

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia