Catholic Indians abscond in New Zealand

32 Indian youths heading for the World Youth Day in Sydney absconded in New Zealand while in transit.

The Catholic Church released a statement on the same and has informed the authorities. They were on their way to attend the Days in the Diocese programme connected with the Pope’s visit to Australia.

They were part of a 220 member group from India who arrived last week in Auckland. They were holding temporary visit visas.

The Church has denied knowledge of any plans by the group and has termed it as most unfortunate. This is probably the biggest group to have done this in one go.

Earlier many cases have been reported of people from India and Sri Lanka who use this opportunity and convert to Christianity to join groups that leave to the US and Europe for missionary work.