New Delhi, Dec 9: Some 30-odd Catholic Dalit Pastors have been staging protest dharna in front Pondicherry-Cuddalore Bishop House against the discrimination inside the Churches. Their protest is slowly being noticed by the Catholic Community and they are standing in their support now.

According to R L Francis, President of the Poor Christian Liberation Movement (PCLM) these 30-odd Dalit priests have been staging the dharna since last two weeks voicing their concern over the growing discrimination inside the Churches. They are alleging discrimination on the basis of their caste under the archdiocese and demanding ending such discrimination and restoring equal rights to them.

Mary John, a Dalit Christian activist said that these catholic priests are struggling for their right to equality and their demand is just. The Dalit Christians are witnessing caste-based discrimination from the high caste Christians and the Church and demanding respectful treatment. She said that our protest is peaceful and demanded that the diocese administration adopt transparent ways in appointment of Dalit priests to end this discrimination.

However, when the Dalit priests are agitating outside the Bishop House, Archbishop of Pondicherry –Cuddalore Archdiocese has gone on two month’s leave under the pretext of health issues. There are 110 Churches and many educational institutions under this archdiocese. No Dalit pastor or priest was appointed at 42 important places under the archdiocese because these are considered as untouchables for the Dalit Priests. There are about 75 percent Dalit Christian in Pondicherry archdiocese yet they are exploited and oppressed under the Church system.

Tamil nadu PCLM Convener Naresh P. Ambedkar appealed to the Dalit Christians to boycott the oppressive policies of the Catholic Church. He said that the Dalit Christians will have to launch a Diversity Movement to get representation in accordance with their strength. We need to fight for our rights in the Church system, he said.