AMCO appeals
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 22 2015:
The All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) has appealed to the groups and associations concerned not to discriminate Christian communities of the State and also to withdraw the prohibitions imposed on five Catholic schools of lmphal.
The AMCO appealed to the Government and civil organizations to consider the discriminatory, intimidating and divisive allegations and threats levelled against Christians and their institutions so as to ensure a conducive educational atmosphere for the welfare of students.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Baptist Convention here today, Father TS Dominic, General Secretary of AMCO said that the Christian communities are harassed and intimidated in various parts of the State.
Such incidents would only lead to hatred among the indigenous people apart from hindering development process of the State.
He added that some underground groups have imposed a ban on five Catholic institutions to shut down as they have been teaching moral science based on Christianity and on the ground that they are forcing students to convert to Christianity.
"Such allegations are baseless as the institutions teach moral science based on universal truth", said Dominic.
Furthermore he added that Christian institutions impart intellectual knowledge along with moral education and character development and there is no such objective to convert students to Christianity.
If that was the case, he said, Imphal city would have had more than ten lakh Christians as 70,000 students are admitted every year to the 30 year old Christian institutions.
Meanwhile Rev Timothy Phaomei, Chairman of Love Manipur said that the intolerance attitude shown by other section of the society has created such incidents of discrimination of Christian community.
Such cases have been increasing in various parts of the country and other parts of the world.
Mention may be made of the cases where an elderly nun was gang raped in West Bengal and Christian villages were destroyed in Pakistan, he said.
Timothy further said, "If the State should develop expeditiously we should have understanding and respect of each others' religions else our State would never develop and it would sow seeds of hatred among ourselves and disintegrate the unity and integrity of our diverse culture" .
President of AMCO, Prim Vaiphei said that even though Christians are a minority in Manipur, the contributions made by Christians in the State have been diverse and immense.
"In such a scenario banning Catholic schools must be condemned and the ban must be removed considering the loss incurred by students", said Prim.
He added that various forms of harassment and false accusations against Christian communities must be stopped.
President of Tribal Church Leaders Forum, Rev Dr Lalpi said, "If we should stand for integrity and unity, we must respect each other" .
Lokendro, Pastor of New Hope Fellowship, Phungmi Treasurer of AMCO and Rev K Rajmohon, director of Christian United Mission were also present at the press meet.
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