Orissa riot – Result of ‘Hit-and-run evangelism’ says Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church

Following are the words of Dr Joseph Marthoma, the Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church after visting Orissa from the Article titled Western evangelists damaging established Churchby Shevlin Sebastian in www.expressbuzz.com

“The situation has improved a lot,” he says. “The churches are being reconstructed. However, the old wounds are still there.” Dr Joseph Marthoma puts the blame on the vitiated atmosphere on western evangelism. “The drawback is that they denounce other faiths and cultures,” he says. “Theirs is a hit-and-run evangelism. They have no long-standing presence. They do great damage and the sufferers are the local, established churches, as well as the poor people.” The Metropolitan says that these groups should change. “They have the attitude that they are bringing the torch of light to the dark continents of Asia and Africa,” he says.

“But times have changed. They must understand that the only way forward is mutual respect. Because of their aggressiveness, the riots took place in Orissa.” He says the Mar Thoma Church has a mission at Khariar Road, in Nuapada district, just 150 km from Kandhamal. “We had no problems during the riots,” he says. “The local people, comprising mostly Hindus, were the protectors of our mission.” He proudly asserts that the 10-lakh strong Mar Thoma Church is an independent entity. “We do not take funds from foreign agencies for our maintenance and programmes,” he says.

Will our Secular leaders dare to make a sincere comment like this?

Will the hate mongering pastors take a cue from the wisdom imparted by Dr Joseph Marthoma?

Will our Mainstream Media come forward to expose the menace -Hit and run Evangelism?

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