Belagavi Bishop Condemns Arrest of Catholic Nuns in Chhattisgarh, Urges Prayer and Protest

Belagavi, Karnataka, July 31, 2025: In a strong statement issued from Belagavi, Bishop of Belgaum, Dr Derek Fernandes, has condemned the recent arrest of two Catholic nuns and a youth in Chhattisgarh, calling for civil society and Christians across the country to raise their voices against the injustice.

Sisters Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate congregation and natives of Kerala, were detained along with a youth, Sukaman Mandavi, at Durg Railway Station. The trio have been accused of human trafficking and attempting religious conversions—allegations widely denounced as baseless by Church leaders and rights groups.

“The Sisters of this Congregation are working in our diocese in Bagalkot, and we are indebted to the amount of service these sisters render to the people of Bagalkot irrespective of any discrimination of caste or religion,” Bishop Fernandes stated.

As the arrests triggered widespread protests and outrage among Christian communities nationwide, the Diocese of Belagavi joined others in expressing firm condemnation. “Christians of the Diocese of Belagavi condemn such action meted out to the innocent nuns and the youth in the strongest terms,” he added.

The Bishop further called for collective prayer and advocacy: “While we raise our voices in this regard and pray intensely that better sense may prevail and the arrested find relief. It is to be noted that in recent times there has been a surge of such incidents and it is high time that we raise our voices against such incidents.”

The statement reflects growing concern within the Church over the increasing frequency of targeted actions against religious personnel and minorities.

By Louis Rodrigues

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