St. Alphonsa’s Church in Vasant Kunj, which was vandalised on Monday morning, has no CCTV camera installed on its premises despite directions from the Delhi Archdiocese. It had specifically instructed churches under it to increase round-the-clock surveillance.
Father Savarimuthu Sankar, spokesperson of the Delhi Archdiocese said: “The church had failed to follow archdiocesan instructions to install CCTV cameras. The cameras would have helped us identify the miscreants. We are not sure if it was just a case of theft or a deliberate attempt to create mischief.”
He added that the parish priest at Vasant Kunj, Father Vincent Salvatore, found the tabernacle open and the ciborium that holds sacred Hosts missing. The Hosts were strewn on the altar table and the floor.
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The church is named after Saint Alphonsa, the first woman saint of Asia.
Meanwhile, Delhi Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto has expressed his deep concern at the growing number of attacks on churches in Delhi and condemned the latest incident.
“Another act of vandalism and targeted attack on our churches in Delhi is nothing but a reflection of hate campaign and false propaganda by groups whose sole aim is to break the religious harmony and social peace of this great nation. The attack within a week after celebration of Republic Day reflects a lot on the government and its failure to give protection to minorities and their religious structures,” he said.
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Stating that the Christian community is known for peace and non-violence he added that as a “miniscule minority we focus on serving the poor and the nation at large. But the growing number of attacks on churches and personnel in different parts of the country is aimed at creating a fear psychosis and tension among different communities,” noted Archbishop Couto.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in a rally couple of days ago that the way we present Delhi to the world would reflect on the country. The attacks on churches in Delhi certainly would cause irreparable damage to the country’s reputation in the world as India is known for religious tolerance and unity in diversity,’’ added Fr. Savarimuthu Sankar.