Easter in Orissa marred by fear of violence

Turnout was lower than usual at Easter services in the Indian state of Orissa as believers stayed away from services for fear of more violence from Hindu extremists.

In the Catholic parish of Pobingia, only 20 people attended the Holy Thursday liturgy. Because there were so few the priest had to perform the traditional act of feet washing on four women, as there were only eight men in attendance. Traditionally priests wash the feet of 12 men to recreate Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.

Parish priest Father Singh said, "Christian men are afraid to come out in the open for fear of being attacked," reports UCANews.com.

Last year Hindu extremists launched pogroms against Christians after a Hindu nationalist leader was killed. Despite Maoist rebels taking responsibility for the killing, Christians were blamed for the attack and the ensuing riots killed at least 60 people.

Thousands more Christians have been forced to live in government relief camps, as their homes have been destroyed and the threat of death remains if they return to their homes without converting to Hinduism.

Many Christians stayed away from Easter services for fear of attacks. Six parishes in Kandhamal, the area worst affected by the violence, decided to hold services earlier than usual so that people would not have to go home after dark.

Father Reginald Fernandes, who visited Kandhamal from Calcutta, said, "Fear still stalks the area."

In Balliguda parish, where 1,000 would normally attend liturgies during Holy Week, only 300 people came to worship.

In some places however, turnout was higher than expected. In the area of Raikia, one of the areas worst hit by violence, 600 people attended a night vigil in what the parish priest described as an act of “extraordinary courage”.