BCS CONDEMNS ATTACK ON BISHOP THOMAS DABRE, BISHOP IN CHARGE OF THE VASAI DIOCESE.


THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA CONDEMNS THE UNWARRANTED ATTACK ON BISHOP THOMAS DABRE OF VASAI DIOCESE. URGES THE CHIEF MINISTER SHRI VILASRAO DESHMUKH AND THE DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER AND HOME MINISTER SHRI R.R. PATIL TO ENSURE IMMEDIATE PROTECTION TO THE BISHOP AND TO THE CHILDREN OF THE
SURYODAYA ASHRAM AND ARREST THE CULPRITS OF THIS DASTARDLY ATTACK.

The BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA, condemns the unwarranted attack on Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai Diocese, the Priests Rev. Frs. Oneil Faroz, Philip Vaz and Andrew Rodrigues while they were inaugurating the Suryodaya
Ashram, a hostel for the tribal children in the Ghosali Village, Mukada Taluka on January 29 at around 1.30 p.m.

The miscreants who allegedly belonged to the Bajrang Dal and Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad numbering over a a hundred were armed with sticks and started sloganeering and throwing stones on those who had gathered
for this function. This was intimidation of its worst kind. Had it not to be for the strong opposition of the local villlagers who repulsed the attack by the hooligans something worse could have happened. In the melee
one of the Priests was hit by a stone and injured.

The Ashram has been damaged by the stone throwing and there is fear in the village as to what next could happen. These fascist elements should appreciate the good work done for this marginalised section of society. To destroy is easy to construct is difficult. And we request them to have the guts to follow this example.

We have taken this matter with the Chief Minister Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh and the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Shri R.R. Patil to ensure that adequate protection is provided for Bishop Dabre , Suryodaya
Ashram and all the Christian Institutions in the Thane District.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha is monitoring this situation and will soon plan its strategy for the next course of action.