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Bishop condemns 'hate speech' of arrested Catholic priest in India

Father George Ponnaya (Photo supplied)

A Catholic priest in India’s Tamil Nadu state was arrested by authorities on July 24 for reportedly spreading hate and enmity between religious groups.

Police in the city of Madurai arrested Father George Ponnaya, who reportedly tried to escape in a vehicle after allegedly making disparaging remarks about the Hindu religion.

Archbishop Antony Pappusamy of Madurai also condemned the priest’s action, saying “his comments are condemnable.”

“The diocese has nothing to do with his Democratic Christian Forum,” the archbishop clarified in a statement, saying that the diocese would never allow violence and speeches that ridicule others.

Father Ponnaya, a member of the Democratic Christian Council, earlier spoke at an event jointly organized by Christians and Muslims in Arumanai in the district of Kanyakumari.

A complaint was lodged against the priest for reportedly insulting Hindus, inciting religious unrest, and for disrupting Hindu, Christian, and Muslim unity.

In a video posted on social media, the priest said he regretted what he said, but authorities said they would pursue the complaints filed against him. - RVA News


 

 

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