Persecuted Catholics

I would like to convey our thanks to all readers who in any way showed sympathy to the persecuted Indian Catholics of Orissa as described in The Times (August 29).

I am glad to inform them that the Rev. Fr Vijay Kumar and most of his parishioners have been rescued from the jungle into which they had to flee to escape a murderous mob of Hindu fundamentalists that had savagely attacked the Catholic and Protestant missions in that area. Unfortunately, many parishioners were murdered and the survivors are destitute, having returned to burnt-down and ransacked homes and still living in daily fear for their lives.

Fr Vijay will be recuperating for a few days in Malta between November 8 and 14 in the home of the Malta sponsors for his priesthood. (tel: 2152 0292)