Head reaches from Rome

Mita Mukherjee and Subhasish Chaudhuri,, TT, Calcutta, March 15: The global head of the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary has reached Ranaghat to express solidarity with the nuns, taking the first flight out of Rome soon after hearing about the attack.

S. Monica Joseph, the superior-general of the congregation, was "in a state of disbelief" in Rome when she was informed of the brutal assault in eastern India, sources said.

She immediately decided to visit the school in Ranaghat so that she could stand by the assaulted elderly nun as well as the other nuns and teachers of the school. The Convent of Jesus and Mary High School in Ranaghat is among 13 institutions run by the congregation in India.

"The superior-general could not believe that someone who gave her life to the service of humanity could be so brutally assaulted. She wanted to be by the side of the assaulted nun and also other members of the school," said a Church source.

Officials of the Convent of Jesus and Mary High School at Ranaghat had on Saturday informed the New Delhi unit of the congregation of the incident, which kept the headquarters in Rome posted.

At the school today, Joseph broke down while hearing the account of the attack from the principal. At one point, both Joseph and Sister Shanti, the principal, were weeping. The two spoke for close to 10 minutes. The superior-general has decided to stay back in the school "till matters improve".

"She expressed her wish to stay on in Ranaghat after speaking to the 74-year-old nun and many others at the school," said a Church source. The superior-general arrived at the school at 11am with a team of six from different parts of India.

"She visited the chapel where the Holy Scriptures were found torn and Mother Mary's crown was stolen. A bust of Christ was found broken. She spoke at length to Father Sarod, the priest at the chapel," said Father Moloy D'Souza of the West Bengal Association of Christians, who was in the school through the day.

Joseph then visited the elderly nun who is recuperating in a hospital. In between, she spoke to Ranaghat sub-divisional officer Rajarshi Mitra.

CPM state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra later said he had spoken to Joseph. Mishra said he assured her that "the government has promised all possible action". "The entire nation is ashamed about the incident," he added.

Joseph, the first Indian to be elected the superior-general of the congregation, also spoke to members of the Christian community who had assembled outside the school.

Formed in 1818 to educate and serve the poor by Claudine Thevenet - canonised as Saint Claudine Thevenet in 1993 - the congregation is spread across 28 countries in four continents.

It is believed that Claudine Thevenet, then affectionately known as Glady, dedicated her life in the service of the downtrodden after her two brothers were executed before her eyes during the French Revolution. The brothers' last words - "Forgive, Glady, as we forgive" - are credited with changing the course of her life.

In India, the congregation runs educational institutes in Shimla and New Delhi, too. The Jesus and Mary College is one of the capital's most coveted institutions.

The following is Archbishop Thomas D’Souza’s statement to The Telegraph on Sunday morning

What happened is an inhuman act and we condemn it. The investigation that has started and the CID probe are welcome steps and need to be carried forward so that the culprits are arrested.

Awareness in society needs to be created for respect for women and a mindset that is congenial. A need we feel at this hour is an atmosphere of love and respect. We are grateful to all those giving their sympathy. The bishop of Krishnagar, Joseph Suren Gomes, has been monitoring the wholesituation.

What is most in need is that such an incident does not take place again. It has brought a lot of shame and pain to all concerned.There was a threat to her life received by the same principal, a week earlier to the incident. There was probably not enough follow-up by the police. Perhaps, it could have been stalled. So, we urge the police to be 

more alert when they get any hints about anything.

Solidarity rally today

A rally call from the Archdiocese of Calcutta

The Archdiocese of Calcutta is organising a rally on March 16 (Monday) at 4.30pm at Allen Park on Park Street.  It is NOT a Protest Rally but a SOLIDARITY RALLY. No speeches. No stage. City parish priestshave been requested to lead their parishioners ina silent procession to the venue.  A candlelight vigil will also be held. Please bring candles.

Large flex posters will be installed at the venue, on which you can add your signature, which will state: Rape is not acceptable whether it is in Delhi, Park Street or Ranaghat. It also doesn’t matter what you wear and what time of the day or night it is!