EVENT ORGANIZED BY ADITY SHARMA
Hindus want an apology from the Pope, and plan to take their request to the streets of New York City when he arrives at the end of next week
How come?
At a superficial glance, the Pope has made every attempt to project a humane face of the Catholic Church. Recently, he urged Europe’s Catholics to accept refugees fleeing the Syrian crisis in the Middle East. Earlier this year, he lamented capitalism, and talked at some length about the link between environmental damage and human action. In July, the Pope even offered an apology for the “grave sins” committed by the Catholic Church in Latin America while in Santa Cruz Bolivia.
But the Roman Catholic Church’s sympathies, its humanitarian outreach does have boundaries. To this day, Hindus have not received even an acknowledgement, let alone an apology from the Vatican, expressing regret over the Goa Inquisition. Yes, this tragedy occurred centuries ago, but even today, the forcible conversion of Goan Hindus is visible in the State of Goa.
Below are some grave sins of the Goa Inquisition:
– 16,202 persons were brought to trial by the Inquisition, put on trial for being non-Catholic… most of these people were Hindus
– Of this number, it is known that 57 were sentenced to death and executed; another 64 were burned in effigy
– The Goa Inquisition lasted from 1560-1612.
– Was like a tribunal, headed by a Judge and two henchmen, answerable only to Lisbon.
– The Inquisition Palace was known as the Big House.
– Hindu Murtis (images) were destroyed.
– Hindu Temples (Mandirs) were not permitted to be repaired, and those in existence were promptly destroyed.
– Hindu orphans were kidnapped and raised Catholics.
– Fasting could only be done according to Christian principles.
– Hindu last rights and after-death ceremonies were prohibited.
– Those who embraced Christianity, were exempted from land taxes for 15 years.
– Those caught bearing Hindu names and surnames, or practicing Hindu Dharma, were tortured in the Big House.
– Large numbers of Hindus left to avoid the harsh persecution.
Justice for Hindus through its trademark awareness demonstration, will make it clear that Hindus want an apology from the Pope. Let the Pope exercise the same humanity he has shown to other groups.
Source: WHN Media Network