Methodist Church cross vandalised in Belagavi

THE GOAN NETWORK

BELAGAVI

With memories of the vandalisation of a Christian cemetery at Shahapur in Belagavi still afresh in the minds of Christians in the city, a similar incident of vandalisation of a Cross at the Methodist Church compound here has caused unrest amid the community.

In a late Tuesday night act, vandals have cut the 15ft iron Cross at the place of worship inside the premises of the Methodist Church, opposite the RTO Circle here.

After the news of the incidents spread across the city, members of the Methodist Church rushed to the spot and were shocked to see the damage done to the Cross. Pastor of the Methodist Church Solomon said the act of vandals has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Christian community of Belagavi and urged authorities to look into the matter.

After the case was registered at the Market police station here, acting against the complaint, market police have taken two persons into their custody for investigation.

Meanwhile, Christian community in the city is shaken by the second incident of its kind that has occurred within a month’s time.

It may be recalled that in a similar act of vandalisation, graves and crosses at a Christian cemetery in Shahapur were damaged, however the community is in distress as since one month vandals involved in that incident are still at large.

Meanwhile, Belagavi Bishop Peter Machado and Superintendent of the Methodist Church Prabhakar Shadrach who were out of Belagavi have condemned the incident and raised concern over the very security of the Christians in and around Belagavi.