Salem Voice joins to pray for Persecuted Church with IDOP

Kottayam (Kerala, India), SVM News, November 1, 2007: The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) conducting this year's global day of intercession for persecuted Christians on November 11. Its primary focus is the work of intercessory prayer and citizen action on behalf of persecuted communities of the Christian faith.

Pastor Paul Ciniraj, Director of the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM - http://salemvoice.org) and the President of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) told that SVM and CMCI join with the International Day of Prayer on Sunday, November 11, 2007.

The intercessory prayers will be having for the persecuted church during the worship services.

SVM and CMCI conduct special prayer meetings on Sunday afternoon and a special night vigil on Sunday night, starts at 6 pm to Monday 6 am (Indian time) to pray for the souls of the oppressors, the nations that promote persecution, and those who ignore it.

And also will be praying for those who request prayers during prayer meeting and night vigil.

Prayer is our fort; prayer changes things. God invites us to present Him our requests and to pray without ceasing. Persecuted Christians often plead for prayer to help them endure. The most we can do is the least we can do — pray.

SVM News: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews264.html

Masked men kidnapped Christians from Pakistan hospital

North Waziristan (Pakistan), SVM News, October 30, 2007: Pro-Taliban militants kidnapped two Christian sanitation workers on October 26 from a hospital in North Waziristan in Pakistan.

Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service reports that Naeem Masih and Shahbaz Masih were kidnapped by masked men from the main gate of Miranshah Headquarters Hospital in North Waziristan on Friday.

Two Christians were kidnapped five months ago but were later released. Local Taliban are suspected to be involved in the incidents though no group has so far claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. Christian residents of Hadyara village on the outskirts of Lahore were attacked earlier this month by men who also stormed the New Apostolic Church, established before the partition of the Indian sub-continent.

They had complained to the authorities that their church could be razed by Muslims angry that Christian prayers were aired by loudspeakers.

Members of the minority community had said that announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers asking Muslims from nearby villages to be ready for a "final attack". Other announcements urged businesses and farmers not to allow Christians on to their properties.

Around 1,000 Christians live in the locality of Miranshah.

Islamist militants in Pakistan have regularly threatened to kill Christian clerics in Southern Punjab's Khanewal district if they did not "embrace Islam and stop preaching Christianity."

Demanding equal opportunities "as promised" by Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, minority organisations in August had sought a ban on forced conversions and repeal of the stringent blasphemy laws in the Islamic country. SVM News reports.

SVM News: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews263.html

Militants kidnapped four Indians and two Polish in Nigeria

New Delhi (India), SVM News, October 29, 2007: Nigerian militants kidnapped four Indians on October 26 from an offshore oil rig near Harcourt Port in Nigeria.

Ajith Kamaraj (33), K. Mohandas (37), Vinod Dharmanath (32) of Vadakkakulam Village of Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and Pandureng Tari (48) of Thane district in Maharashtra were the Indians kidnapped on Friday.

Polish nationals, Michael Konopacki, the ship's captain, and Jan Jomarski, a cargo operator, have also been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen. All were working in an Italian oil firm when they were abducted.

A prominent militant group claimed responsibility on Saturday for the kidnapping of six foreign workers and they demand $50 million USDollars for their release.

Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service reports that the Union Government is taking all steps to secure the safe release of four Indians.

Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs said, "We are in touch with the Indian Embassy in Nigeria and the company where the Indians are working. They promised to extend all support to us. We are confident of securing safe and early release of the Indians".

SVM News: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews262.html

Pastor stabbed to death in Philippines

Kidapawan City (Republic of Philippines), SVM News, October 27, 2007: Pastor of Jesus Is Lord Ministries was stabbed to death on October 26 in Barangay Perez of Kidapawan City in North Cotabato province in southern Philippians.

Pastor Martin Ambong (48) was brutally murdered on Friday early morning near his church with16 stab wounds on his body. His face was also flogged by a hard object.

Police registered a case and started investigation.

"Pastor Martin was murdered probably on Thursday after midnight", police said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service. "Villagers have seen his body first lying near the church on Friday morning", police added.

When the pastor murdered, his family was at their house in Barangay Poblacion. Pastor was staying at mission house. Mostly he used to spend his time over there.

"Pastor Martin Ambong has no known enemies. Such a good and humble man he was", villagers said to the SVM News.

SVM News: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews261.html

Catholic nuns attacked in Madhya Pradesh in North India

Indore (Madhya Pradesh, India), SVM News, October 26, 2007: Five Roman Catholic nuns belong to the Fransiscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) were attacked by Hindu extremists on October 25 in Indore in North Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Sister Sayujya and sister Jincy Nattekkadan were seriously injured and admitted in Arabindo Medical College.

"Nuns were beaten on Thursday night by a mob of 20 Bajrangdal activists, when they were return back after a cottage prayer meeting at their driver's house", Sister Geo FCC told the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

Sister Sayujya's leg has been broken. Sister Jincy has seven stitches in her head.

Paul Ciniraj, president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) condemned the attack towards roman catholic nuns of Indore.

SVM News: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews259.html

Christian Police Officer killed in Campus by Marxist and Hindu students

Kottayam (Kerala, India), SVM News, October 26, 2007: A police officer was beaten to death in between the clashes of two student group activists named SFI (Students Ferderation of India) and ABVP (Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) in a college campus on October 26 at Changanassery of Kottayam District in Kerala State, India.

M.C. Elias (46), the Additional Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) in Changanassery was brutally murdered on Friday at about 10.30 am at NSS College campus by a rod hit on head by student activists.

"ASI M.C. Elias was trying to restore peace at campus, where activists from SFI and ABVP were demonstrating against the union elections earlier this month", police said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

SFI is the student's wing led by the ruling party, Communist Party of India Marxist, and ABVP is the BJP and RSS led student's wing of Hindu fanatics.

Twelve ABVP workers including RSS Secretary of Changanassery were taken into custody in connection with the incident and police surrounded NSS College because they think four accusers are hiding inside the college. Also police raided Sangh Parivar Centers in Kottayam District.

NSS College also run by a Hindu organisation called Nair Service Society. Management decided to shut down the college for a short term.

Elias and a few constables had come to the campus on request from college authorities who anticipated trouble as students belonging to the rival outfits boycotted classes and started demonstrations, sources said.

The Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Director General of Police (DGP) Raman Sreevastav visited the college and Elias' family. "RSS-BJP activists are behind the murder of Elias", DGP said.

"It is the first time a police officer killed in college campus and it is unfortunate", Home Minister said. State Education Minister M.A. Baby expressed shock at the incident.

"Government decided to give Rs. 6 Lacs (15,000 USD) for Elias' family", Chief Minister V.S. Achutanandan said.

SFI blames ABVP and RSS regarding Elias' murder. ABVP blames SFI killed Elias.

Both ruling parties and the opposition parties of Kerala had called a hartal (strike) in Kottayam district on Saturday in protest against the incident.

Elias is the son of Chacko and Kunjamma of Pillachira Mattathil House at Nalunnakkal, Vakathanam in Kottayam district. He leaves behind Suja, his widow and two daughters Sherin and Sneha and a son Akhil. His widow Suja is a teacher of a Lower Primary School. Sherin studies IXth standard in a High School, and Akhil VIIth and Sneha IVth standards in primary school. He and his family are the members of the Salem Voice Ministries (http://salemvoice.org/about.html) prayer fellowship in Vakathanam.

Paul Ciniraj, president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) and the Director of the Salam Voice Ministries condemned the incident. He visited Elias' house and conveyed deep condolence on behalf of the Christian medias and ministries around the globe.

SVM News with pictures: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews258.html

Prayer worker stabbed to death by fake bootleggers in India

Thrissur (Kerala, India), SVM News, October 22, 2007: A social and prayer fellowship worker stabbed to death on October 21 at Mupli Estate road in Thrissur District of Kerala State, India.

Shaju Kannampuzha (37) in Mupli was brutally murdered on Sunday night at about 9.30 by fake distillers of alcohol.

Vellikkulangara police arrested Rajesh of Themath at Kodunga and two others related with Shaju's murder.

The victim was killed by Rajesh and his friends because he worked against drugs and alcoholics and secretly informed about the fake distilling to the police.

"There are more people involved with Shaju's murder and they will be held soon", police said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service (http://salemvoice.org).

Rajesh was arrested while he came for the treatment at a primary health center for the injuries which he got during the murder of Shaju. He had been to the jail for an opium case and was released just three months ago and was involving to distill fake liquor.

Shaju was also a bootlegger about 12 years ago; but he had been confessed and turned back to God and became an active worker against drugs and alcoholics as a prayer fellowship and social worker.

Paul Ciniraj, the President of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) and the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries condemned the slaying of Shaju Kannampuzha.

SVM News with picture: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews257.html

Two catholic nuns killed by bricks fallen on heads

Kottayam (Kerala, India), SVM News, October 21, 2007: Two catholic nuns of the Congregation of Teresian Carmalites (CTC) were killed by hollow-bricks fallen on heads from 60 feet high on October 21 in Kottayam in Kerala State, India.

Sister Magi alias Margurette Mary (31) and Sister Reshmi alias Thresiamma Thomas (34) of the Fatima Matha Convent at Nagampadom, Kottayam were the nuns killed on Sunday at about 5 in the evening.

The construction of a multi-stored apartment was progressing at the neighbouring site of the Convent compound. Building labourers were unloading the bricks through the lift. But at the fifth floor, the bricks were slipped and fallen down to the nuns, who were involving with cleaning the convent and its surroundings.

When incident occured, nuns were near the compound wall, which is just behind the constructing apartment. Their heads were totally smashed and died on the spot.

"Another sister Priya was also with them, but she miraculously escaped from the incident", Sister Iros, a member of the convent and the Principal of Madonna English School said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

Police registered a case against the building laboureres.

Paul Ciniraj, President of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) and Director of Salem Voice Ministries (http://salemvoice.org) visited Fatima Matha Convent and expressed deep condolence on behalf of Christian medias and ministries around the globe.

Sister Magi was working as a teacher of Madonna English School in Kottayam. She is the daughter of Chakkappan and Mary of Poyya Thaliyanath in Thrissur District.

Sister Reshmi was a B Ed student at St.Xavier's College, Aluva. She is the daughter of V.A. Thomas and Thresiamma of Poonkavu Vadasseril of Alappuzha. She served about 15 convents. An year before she was the mother superior at Perumpalam Convent too.

SVM News with pictures: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews256.html

Dalit Christian woman raped and murdered in Kerala, India

Kannur (Kerala, India), SVM News, October 21, 2007: The dead body of a dalit christian woman was found in a thicket of shurbs on October 19 at Pazhayangadi in Kannur district of Kerala state, India. Police declared it was a murder.

Chellarian Rita (36), the wife of Jose Madakkudiyan of Ezhom kavumchal was the christian dalit woman brutally murdered while attempting of the rape.

"She died because of serious wound in her head", police said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service (http://salemvoice.org). A deep injury was found in her forehead. Her clothes were completely teared. Police said.

Rita had gone to the ration shop at Kannoth on Thursday morning from her house to purchase rice. But she did not come back. Her relatives and local residents searched her in the relatives houses till night.

Finally Jose, Rita's husband complaint to the Pazhayangadi Police Station at about 10 pm.

In the morning local people found scattered rice at the roadside near Kavumchal public graveyard. After sometime they found the dead body in a thicket of shurbs at the valley of the nearest hill.

Police discovered a liquer bottle alongwith scattered rice and chappals from the spot.

Mathew Policarp, the District Superintendent of Police investigating the case. Forensic chief Dr. S. Gopala Pillai visited to examine the incident place.

Rita is the daughter of Chellarian Charlie and Thekkan Mariam of Pilathara. She married with Jose about 14 years ago. They don't have children.

Paul Ciniraj, president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) condemned the slaying of Rita. He asked the government to find out the murderers and to arrest them immediately.

"Rita was brutally raped and killed. She is a victim of dalit christian persecution. The murderes must not have any kindness from the police, court, and government," Ciniraj said.

SVM News with picture: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews255.html

Pastor and wife were brutally attacked in Kerala

Kalpatta (Kerala, India), SVM News, October 14, 2005: Pastor and wife were brutally attacked by unassailant attackers at Thrissilery in Wayanad district at 2.30 am on October 14.

Pastor Joseph Thadikkal (57) and his wife Ammini (52) of New India Bible Church were severely beaten and admitted in the Mananthavadi district hospital with serious head and leg injuries.

A police team investigating the case under the leadership of K. Madhusudanan, the Deputy Superintendant of Police.

"Few months ago Hindu organisations had complaint to the police against Pastor Joseph Thadikkal that he is converting people to Christianity", a local resident said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service..

But Hindu organisations said they have no connection with this attack.

Paul Ciniraj, President of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India condemned the attack towards pastor Joseph and his wife.

"Persecution towards christians, dalits and other minorities are increasing thoughout India", Ciniraj said. "Priests, pastors, missionaries, evangelists and believers are being murdered, beaten, abducted and jailed. Women are being raped. Churches and institutions stoned, vandalized and demolished". he added.

SVM News with pictures: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews254.html

Injil (Gospel) study version published in Tazi language

Kottayam (Kerala), SVM News, October 9 2007: Bible Society of India publishing the entire New Testament in Tazi language and the Salem Voice Ministries (http://salemvoice.org) distributing it among Muslims.

"Eternal Words of Life" has been already published by the Bible Society of India by name "Injil". It is a study version of the Gospel according St. Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

It has 340 pages, including cover pages. Introduction about the Bible, introductions about the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, maps of the Old Testament and New Testament periods, images of the third century and nineth century manuscripts and glossary are also included.

The entire New Testament is under printing and it will be released soon.

The terminology of the new book is familiar for Muslims, such as Ilah for God, Ilahi-puthran for Son of God, Isa for Jesus, Jibiril for Gabriel, Ibrahim for Abraham, Moosa for Moses, Davood for David, Sulaiman for Solomon, Yahya for John the Baptist, malakh for angel, musaliyar for priest, sahabi for disciple and anbiya for prophets.

A simple and detailed notes have been given in the margines from the Old Testament, so that any readers can easily understand the Gospel to attain salvation.

There are millions of muslims speaking Tazi language in India. It is first ever in the world publishing Bible for this group of people.

"We found a vast number of people are interested to read "Injil" and responding with questions and doubts. We do follow up ministry among them", Paul Ciniraj, Director of Salem Voice Ministries told.

One book costs 28 Indian Rupees, but it distributes freely.

There are about 40 questions at the end of the book. A full Bible will be given as a gift for those who answer the questions of the book.

SVM News with pictures: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews253.html