Catholics Attacked on Way to Christmas Mass

04 January 2006 0 minutes read

Four Catholics on their way to Christmas Eve Mass were accosted by nine members of the militant Hindu organization, RSS, according to a December 30 report from Compass Direct. The four, Jaisingh Baria, Sunil Minama, and two other people identified as Father Thomas and Santo, were traveling by jeep to a nearby village for mass when they were ambushed in Jambuda, Rajasthan. The four were forced from their vehicle, stripped down to their underwear, and beaten unconscious. They were left on the road until they were discovered by a local Christian four hours later. The RSS members had spread rumours that the Christians were taking two children to be sacrificed as part of their worship. As a result of these rumours, local villagers joined in the attack.

Ask the Lord to give them emotional healing from the humiliation and physical healing from the beatings. Pray that this incident will serve to draw them close to the heart of the Lord that suffered first for us.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, click here.

India

India Information

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defense, Relief and Development, Women’s Ministry, Medical Fund
Country Information
Population
1,399,179,585 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)

Religion (%)
Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)

Leader
President Droupadi Murmu (2022)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for India
Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.