Exposing the deep-seated animosities and divisions within the fold, over 20,000 caste Christians of Eraiyur village,near Villupuram Chennai have threatened to revert to Hinduism unless a seperate parish was provided to the Dalit Christians there.
A parish in Eraiyur village was devastated by violent clashes between two groups a fortnight ago. It all started with the Arch Bishop Antony Anandarayar permitting Dalit Christians to undertake a funeral procession on Church Road, a privilege they have been denied for more than a century. Amidst tight security the procession was taken out.
Protesting against this, the caste Christians have boycotted prayer sessions at the St Rosary Church for the past three days.
Anandarayar assured that none would be discriminated in church on any ground and this has not gone well with the caste Christians who have accused the bishop of not considering the sentiments of the majority. They have also stated that by the decree an age-old custom and tradition has been broken.
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