Conversions: A Priest Confesses

From the 'New Indian Express' (12 March, 2009) – Page 1, Hubli Edition:

Fr Confesses to Lured Conversions in Churches

Express News Service
Bangalore, March 11

In a revelation that could have widespread ramifications, Father Joseph Menengis, priest of St James Church in Mariyannapalya, Bangalore, confessed before the Justice B K Somashekhara Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday that idol worship was being performed in churches to attract Hindus and convert them to Christianity.

The Commission is inquiring into the recent attacks on churches across the state. Menengis said, "Hindus believe in idol worship. So to attract them to Christianity, idol worship is performed in churches."

During cross-examination by Satishchandra, advocate appearing for Hindu organisations, the priest said that "despite idol worship being prohibited in the Bible, we have idol worship in churches."

"The duty of every Christian is to convert non-Christians to Christianity by any means", he told the Commission.

St James Church was attacked by miscreants on 21 September, 2008.

During cross-examination, the priest confessed that "no girl students, including Hindus, are permitted the use of kumkum, bangles or flowers. In our institution, we have moral science textbooks. But it does not contain texts regarding the Bible and Jesus", the priest added. The Commission has requested the priest to submit the textbook to it.

The priest has denied the allegation that St James Church had encroached upon four acres of land on Mariyannapalya and he denied the allegation that the festival conducted in June was only to attract Hindus. "I am not blaming the CM, BJP and Bajrang Dal for the attack on our church", he said.

M Mallesh, inspector of Hoskote police station, and M Giriprasad, constable of dog squad, also deposed before the Commission. During cross-examination, Giriprasad said, "After the attack on St Mary's Church in Bangarpet, Kolar district, I accompanied the dog squad. But the squad failed to give clues about the miscreants who attacked the church. It is false that while inspecting the spot, the dog stopped at the house of a Congress leader from Kolar", Giriprasad said. The Commission has adjourned the hearing to March 12.

Note:
1. As far as I know, no other English newspaper has carried this story. 'The Hindu' has this: "Dog did not lead to Congress office".
2. Even the 'New Indian Express' has not carried this story on its website. That is why I have reproduced the entire article here.