Odisha Sees Surge in Crimes Targeting Catholic Institutions and Clergy

May 26, 2025

On May 21st, during a pastoral visit to an interior village parish in the Diocese of Sambalpur in Odisha, Sr. Tessy Jacob SSpS casually asked the priests if it would be pleasant to sleep outside at night during the summer, considering the frequent power outages. To her surprise, they responded in unison, "No, we are scared of thieves!"

The very next morning, the entire diocese was stunned by the news of a brutal robbery and assault at Carmel Niketan in Kuchinda, around 70 km from Sambalpur. This marks the fourth such incident in the Sambalpur Diocese and the sixth reported attack on Christian clergy in Odisha over the past three years.

A Night of Terror

In the early hours of May 22nd, Fr. Sylvin OCD was awakened by the relentless barking of a dog. As he cautiously approached the main entrance with a torch, he was suddenly overpowered by a gang of armed intruders, some disguised in women’s clothing. Simultaneously, others broke in through the main entrance, assaulting him mercilessly and demanding access to valuables throughout the residence.

The ordeal began around 1:30 AM. One attacker entered the maid’s room, tied her hands and gagged her. Another priest, Fr. Linus—aged in his 90s—was forcibly dragged from his room and left with bruised legs. All three residents were eventually confined to a single room, where the physical assaults continued. Fr. Sylvin, in his thirties, sustained the worst injuries and has been transferred to Kerala for advanced medical care.

The robbery went on until about 4:30 AM. The attackers then locked all the victims in the room and fled. Eventually, they managed to untie themselves and alert nearby villagers, who came to their aid.

A Pattern Emerges

The intruders carried out the operation in an organised manner. They used advanced tools to break through locks, clearly indicating planning and prior reconnaissance. During the robbery, one attacker whispered to the elderly Fr. Linus, “Father ji, maaf karna…” ("Father, forgive me"), suggesting possible familiarity with the victims.

This robbery was not an isolated incident. Since 2023, there have been six major attacks on priests across Odisha under the guise of robbery. Shockingly, not a single arrest has been made to date. This lack of accountability appears to embolden criminals and perpetuate these targeted acts of violence.

The pattern is disturbingly consistent: isolated parishes and institutions in rural areas, often with minimal security infrastructure, are targeted, particularly during school vacations when campuses are largely deserted.

Robbery or Something More?

During these robberies, the perpetrators seek cash and deliberately avoid stealing electronic devices that others could trace. They destroy mobile phones, vandalise the premises, and inflict severe physical and psychological trauma on the residents.

In previous incidents, the attackers questioned the victims’ religious identity and ordered them to leave the area. In one case, they inspected bottles of Mass wine and holy water, debating among themselves their religious significance. Notably, they left these items untouched in the latest attack, indicating that robbery is the apparent motive.

A Call for Justice

Bishop Niranjan Sual Singh of Sambalpur has spoken out against the violence, stating, “These attacks are designed to instill fear among Christians. By causing physical and psychological harm, the perpetrators aim to send a disturbing message. The silence and inaction of civil authorities only embolden them further.

”There is now a palpable sense of fear among priests serving in remote areas, who feel increasingly vulnerable and abandoned. Despite repeated brutal assaults over the years, justice remains elusive.

Until the civil administration takes decisive action and proper security is ensured for rural religious institutions, these tragic incidents are likely to continue.

By Sr. Tessy Jacob SSpS