Kohima: The Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) has stated that it was constrained to bring to the knowledge of the people of the state the form of injustice and violation of basic human rights being committed by a section of the members of the Naga society.
In a press statement issued by CAN President Nosazol Charles and Secretary General Elias T Lotha has called on the larger society to conscientiously address the issue so as to check the growth of sectarianism within our egalitarian society the apex organisation of the Catholic laity.
“It was distressed at the manner in which the members of the Baptist Church in some villages undertake in preventing the practice of the Catholic faith in their areas,” he said.
It reminded about the catholic church at Anatongre under Kiphire district which was nearly completed but ‘violently vandalised by the villagers of Baptist alignment on July 9.2010 citing reason that the village council had in the past resolved to allow only the Baptist Church to be established and none other’.
According to CAN, the district administration had on May 23.2012 made very clear to the village that ‘such local resolution do not stand the test of legal and constitutional framework of the stare’.
With persisting deadlock over the issue, it was informed that the district administration, after having served notices to substantiate their claim and with failures on the part of the villagers to respond, issued a directive to the village council ‘not to interfere in any form the fundamental right to practice and profess any religion/denomination in the village including the right to construct religious structures and churches..’ with immediate effect.
The CAN appealed to the goodwill of the anatongre village leaders to allow reason and goodwill to prevail.
The CAN also implored upon the government to address the issue as only timely and right action will restore the goodwill among the people needless to mention that the actions are unconstitutional and violation of human rights.
Pointing out that the catholic church has been very actively providing quality education ever since then, it stated that enabling people to learn and understand was one of the mission approaches of the Church and that the Church has been instrumental in molding with high moral standard the young minds. ‘The intent and mission of the catholic faith is to accomplish the command of our lord and savior Jesus Christ, to preach the gospel to every nation and to baptize them in the name of the Father, the son and the holy spirit. It is true that every christian denomination is an offshoot of the Catholic Church,’ the statement said. (UNI)