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Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for his weekly blessing, the pope said Christians were suffering the "tragedy" of religious oppression in countries where they have thrived for centuries.
"(I) call the attention of the international community, of religious leaders and of all people of goodwill to the tragedy that is happening in certain countries of the east where Christians are victims of intolerance and cruel violence, killed, threatened and forced to abandon their homes and roam in search of refuge," he said.
"At this moment, I am thinking above all about Iraq and India," he said.
Half of the Christian community of Iraq's northern city of Mosul has recently fled after attacks and death threats. The murder of a Hindu leader in August sparked anti-Christian riots in India, killing 35 people and damaging dozens of churches.
"I am sure that the ancient and noble populations of those nations have learnt over the course of centuries of respectful cohabitation to appreciate the contribution that the small but hardworking and skilled Christian minorities bring to the shared homeland," Benedict said.
"They are not asking for privileges, but desire only to be able to continue to live in their country together with their fellow citizens, as they have always done," he said, calling on governments to spare no efforts to ensure rights were respected.
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All the ruling coalition are Chamchaas and servants of itlaian Monkey. So nobody will reply.Bastard secularists will put their tongue in their hips to prevent speaking truth.
What terrible hate filled comments. How such Simple words like " but desire only to be able to continue to live in their country together with their fellow citizens, as they have always done" But no some hate filled people just want to criticize. The pope who represents more than a billion catholics does have a responsibility to care for his people, just as India can make comments about the poor Tamils in Sri Lanka and display concern for Hindus in Malaysia. But what is good for the goose does not seem good for the gander for the hate mongers. Christians have never hurt hindus, and yet the right wing under protection from the state and centre feels free to rape kill and displace more than 50000 christians. The same case in Iraq, where not only Christians but Sunni Arabs are victims of hate.Hate politics will only raise the violence level in India and India must decide for itself whether a love and co-existence with consistent development is preferable to their Hate approach.
Hey pope...when your religion came to this country it brought with it the inquisitions - the bloody and barbaric way to convert people. And yet the majority community has so far been tolerant on the whole. So don't you tell us to be tolerant - it doesn't look good coming from a someone who represents a religion that was so intolerant that it marked babies for conversion - and when they were old enough snatched them away from their parents to be given a 'civilised' upbringing. A religion that forced people to convert under the pretext of law and punishment - convert them in return for sparing them torture and their lives. YOU don't tell us what tolerance is - you have no moral right.
The Pope has no business to teach India about religious tolerance. we know what happened in Ireland, France and Philippines. India is the only country in the whole world where jews were not persecuted. The church in India has a powerful PR outfit and it has several senior journalists on its pay roll. Stories are planted on front pages of newspaper and TV channels. The recent rape of a nun itself is an example of how this PR outfit tries to influence the courts. Earlier, in a similar nun rape case in Orissa a medical examination proved that the nun was having sex regularly with somebody in the church itself. Immediately, the case was withdrawn with the rehetoric that the church does not have faith in the Orissa police!
Rev.Pope Sir...can U also ask the Christians to stop killing in Palestine and also stop their unwanted activity in Iraq and stop fiddling in International issues. Before U saar start showing fingers on any other country / person try to lead by example and ask Ur religion members to strive for peace. Shame on such religious stalwart to join such political and unwanted issue.
Hinduism is a way of life and not a religion. We have in our midst believers as well as atheists. Our people are generally tolerant but the Government has to reassure the people that all steps have been taken to protect people from the hatemongers and the law will deal with an iron hand the fanatic fringe who spread communal hatred.
Pope is a man who can't see beyound christian world. His hearts bleeds for christian and sings when grows the number of christains across the world by conversion. Is he secular? Can any secular from india reply?
There is no need to the Pope to interfere. The Indian Govt does not do so even if Indians are abused thru racial slurs, hate crime and discrimination.