Fides: Orders to demolish churches in Orissa have been cancelled

Catholics in Orissa, India, win a welcome victory as five churches slated for destruction by the government have had their demolition orders cancelled:

The structures risked being demolished under an order that said that the buildings had sprung up on land owned by the State without permission.

[. . .]

The decision to block the demolitions - inform local sources of Fides - was taken after the meeting between the authorities and a delegation of Christians in Orissa that included two priests (Fr. Mathew Puthyadam and Fr. Jashabandh Pradhan), a lay Catholic (Jyotisen Parichha) and a Monfort missionary (Brother K.J. Markose). Christians also complained about the presence of "anti-social" elements, who continue to intimidate the faithful and undermine social and religious peace in the district.The chief of Kandhamal district gave ample assurance to the delegation concerning the block of the demolition of the chapel in the village of Padunbadi and for the other churches in question, ensuring also measures to stop groups of troublemakers. In the meeting compensation to the faithful who lost homes and property was also discussed, another issue on which the civil authorities have reaffirmed their decision to provide for.