Catholic Lawyers and Church Leaders Unite to Protect Rights of Marginalised Christians

Bhubaneswar, March 15, 2025 - In a significant move to reinforce the Church's commitment to justice, a delegation of Catholic legal professionals visited the Diocese of Balasore, Odisha. The six-member team, comprising Fr. Ajay Kumar Singh of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, Fr. Balthazar, Chancellor of the Diocese of Balasore, Sr. Clara D'Souza, Sr. Geetanjali Senapati, Sr. Sophia Arockia, and Sr. Sujata Jena, met with Bishop Verghese Thottamkara of Balasore to discuss ways to uphold justice within the Church.

Bishop Thottamkara welcomed the group warmly, commending their efforts and emphasising the timely need for legal aid amidst rising incidents of violence against Christians in Odisha. He affirmed his commitment to supporting priests in pursuing civil law studies, highlighting the importance of both canon and civil law expertise in advancing the Church's mission.

The team then travelled to Hatigarh parish, where they engaged with local Catholic leaders facing ongoing challenges. Over 20 lay representatives, including men and women, gathered to share their concerns and seek guidance. The delegation documented a recent case of religious persecution where tensions erupted between Sarna tribal adherents and Catholic converts over the burial of a Catholic man, Budhia Murmu, in Rangamatia village, Kalika Panchayat, Raibania Police Station jurisdiction.

The standoff, which occurred on December 18, 2024, lasted over 12 hours, with local Christian leaders and village authorities pleading for police intervention that never materialised. Eventually, under sustained pressure, the burial proceeded, but fear and uncertainty persisted, as false conversion allegations continued, with a First Information Report (FIR) filed to intensify the conflict.

The lay leaders sought legal guidance to address the threats and uphold their rights. They also requested education on fundamental rights, freedom of religion, and the intersection of caste, culture, and tribal traditions. The Catholic lawyers provided legal insights, documented the reported atrocities, and pledged their support in ensuring justice through lawful means.

The team also offered to conduct legal awareness programmes for lay Catholics, priests, and religious to equip them with knowledge and information to navigate these challenging times lawfully. This initiative reaffirms the Church's unwavering commitment to protecting the marginalised and advocating for religious freedom in Odisha.

The visit demonstrates the power of collaboration between Catholic legal professionals and Church leaders in promoting justice and upholding human rights.

By Sr. Sujata Jena