Please add hq@thecsf.info to your address book to ensure future delivery.   If the images below do not display correctly, please click here   FW: From the Desk of...Joseph Dias ^Ecumenical   ^Evangelical   ^Interdenominational Open Letter to Modiji - The CSF gives 2 Weeks Ultimatum to Govt Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Sub: Indian Christians Are Angry. Seek Assistance from Those Who Can Help. Ref: Enough of Memorandums. We Need to act. Contact csfpost@gmail.com It is time to stay at home and set our house in order. The attacks on minorities, especially the peace-loving Christian soft-targets has certainly not gone down well with the developed nations, whom you seek to impress and whose assistance is necessary for India's progress. Even Mr. Sanjay Kirloskar, noted industrialist is of this view. These attacks are giving you the same image in the comity of nations, as that when you were Gujarat CM, which is not what the CEO of the country should have. Its time for introspection and walk the talk. We need action asap. The least India needs is sanctions at the moment. The Cardinals, Bishops and leaders have met you or demonstrated and come back to the community with lip service. How long do you expect Indian Christians to remain silent, while we are being demonized and targeted. This is no good governance. And there cannot be any development without harmony or justice. We look forward to action from your end within 2 weeks. Or Indian Christians will have to prepare themselves to legally deal with the situation. We can't remain quiet any longer. Your brother in Christ, Joseph Dias, Gen Sec., The CSF +91 9769555657 Founder, The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum Church Attacks Could Impact Investment, Says India Inc Leader HANNOVER, GERMANY: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushes for foreign investment on his maiden trip to Europe, Sanjay Kirloskar, top Indian industrialist Sanjay Kirloskar said that it is especially important for the government to make clear that "we are a secular nation... we are a tolerant nation." Referring to a series of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings over the last few months in India, Mr Kirloskar, who is currently in Germany, said, "Most investors in foreign countries are Christians." Mr Kirloskar's words are the first words of caution from a top Indian industrialist about the church attacks at home. The head of the Kirloskar Brothers Limited said that "a slight concern" was visible among foreign investors; he pointed to a protest by a small group demanding "protect India's minorities" outside the massive fair in Hannover that was inaugurated by the PM and has drawn top leaders of India Inc. "I am sure the PM must be talking to his people," Mr Kirloskar said adding, "We have to send the right signal." Before arriving in Germany, the PM, addressing UNESCO in France, said that his government is committed to defending the rights and liberties of all Indians. In February, addressing a conference organised by Christian groups in Delhi, Mr Modi had said, "My government will not allow any group belonging to majority or minority to incite hatred against others." - ndtv Agra church desecrated; Accused to be booked under NSA Agra: In an attack that has rattled Agra's Christian community, miscreants vandalized the popular St Mary's Church in the cantonment area of the city on Thursday, decapitating the statue of Baby Jesus and putting what resembled some sort of a leash around the neck of Mary. The desecration, which has come on the heels of a string of similar attacks on churches in New Delhi, had the 1 lakh-odd Christians in Agra up in arms, following which the state minority commission dashed off letters to the district magistrate and SSP. The commission sought an explanation from the officers even as police lodged an FIR against unidentified persons hours after the incident came to light. In Lucknow, UP director general of police A K Jain said specific instructions have been issued to hunt down the accused and book them under the National Security Act (NSA). Directions were also given to district police chiefs across the state to enhance vigil around churches to ensure that such attacks did not take place elsewhere. "I spoke to the senior officials after they visited the site of the incident. Human intervention has been established but there are no indications of any organized or pre-determined attack on the premises," Jain told TOI. "Still, we are not leaving anything to chance and have directed senior officials to be in constant touch with the locals of the area for any leads." The DGP said he was personally familiar with the location as he had lived at a house barely 50 meters from the Agra church. "It is not a secluded place. It is a congested area and there are houses adjacent to the church. Senior officials have already spoken to the people residing in the locality. They claimed they did not hear any noise during the night and that they came to know about the incident in the morning," Jain added. Father Moon Lazarus, head priest of the 93-year-old St Mary's Church, said the incident happened around 3.30 am on Thursday. He recounted: "We were sleeping when suddenly the car alarm went off. Father Michel rushed out and saw that the gate of the church was open. Window panes of the car were broken. He called up senior authorities and later it was discovered that the statue of baby Jesus, kept in a glass box outside the church, was damaged. The miscreants had broken its neck." The miscreants seemed to have taken their time ransacking the church. A giant glass box kept near the church's main door, with a big statue of Mother Mary inside it, was smashed. The statue was lying on the floor and there was some sort of a leash around her neck. An FIR against unidentified persons has been lodged at the Rakabganj police station under sections 295 (injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 153-A- (II) (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot—if rioting be committed—if not committed) and 427 (mischief causing damage) of the IPC. Across the state, minority leaders reacted in anger and alarm. Osmond Charles, a Christian advocate in Aligarh, said a cycle of vandalism has been set. "We are a worried lot these days," he frowned. "Since Independence Christians have not faced such rapid attacks. In case of Muslims we understand the motive might be polarization, but what is the motive in attacking Christians?" Shafi Azmi, spokesman, UP Minorities Commission, said, "The commission has asked for a detailed description of the incident, the action taken by police and administration, and security arrangements of the church people." Muslim cleric Mufti Mohammad Quadri met Lazarus along with a dozen maulvis and said the Christians should not think they are alone in their hour of crisis. Church vandalised in Agra - Mother Mary's statues knocked over. Agra, April 16, 2015: Unidentified people on Thursday damaged four statues of Mother Mary and wrapped a dog chain around one of them in an early morning vandalism at a church in Agra, the latest attack on minority-run institutions in the country. The incident comes barely weeks after a 71-year-old nun was raped in a West Bengal convent, a case that shook the nation and triggered widespread protests. Police said the vandals dislodged and damaged four statues of Mother Mary while putting a dog chain on one of them at the St Mary Church, located in the Pratabpura area in the city of the Taj Mahal. "The intruders intended to hurt our religious sentiments as they placed the head of child Jesus Christ in the hand of Mother Mary and attached a dog chain to the neck," said Father Moon Lazarus, the head priest of the church. The persons also broke window panes of a car parked inside the church premises. The incident occurred at around 3.30 am, according to a complaint lodged with police by Father Lazarus. The priest said the he was awakened by the car's alarm going off after it was damaged but the intruders managed to escape after jumping over the perimeter wall. Church officials said members of the Christian community will hold a protest march later in the day. Senior police officials including the senior superintendent of police Rajesh D Modak visited the church premises and assured action against the culprits.  "It seems to be handwork of someone with sick mentality… the culprits would be brought to book soon," said Aseem Chaudhary, the Agra sadar circle officer. - times of india, hindustan times, etc.