St. Sebastian’s church destroyed by fire; parishioners cry foul, demand probe
2 Dec 2014 6:02 AM IST
Suspecting foul-play into the fire, the parishioner called it a ‘pre-planed incident’. The Archbishop of Delhi has even asked PM Narendra Modi to order judicial enquiry into the matter.
The fire broke out around 5.45 am and was doused at around 8.45 am after five fire tenders reached the spot. The security guard who reached the church in the morning informed Father Antony Francis, the pastor of the church about the fire.
“The fire has completely charred the sanctuary, sacristy and the first floor balcony,” a police official said.
As news of fire spread out, hundreds of people gathered outside the church. Later, the devotees also staged a sit-in protest outside local police station demanding fair probe into the incident.
“Samples have been picked up from the spot by the fire department and forensic team. We have to wait for their report to ascertain the exact cause of fire. We have registered an FIR and further investigations are underway,” said a senior police official. A case under section 436 IPC (mischief) have been registered on the complaint of the church authorities.
Fr Stanley Kozhichira, media director of Delhi archdiocese expressed his desolation at the extent of the damage. “The destruction has been so extreme,” Fr Kozhichira said, “that the church cannot be used unless it is completely rebuilt.” The altar, as well as the area where the congregation is seated, was completely destroyed. “Kerosene was poured in the sanctuary area, as well as the back, where there are at least 60 pews. There has been absolute desecration, it’s like standing on a funeral pyre,” informed the audibly upset priest.
Addressing the media after the incident, Archbishop Couto said apart from the judicial enquiry, the government must repair the building before Christmas. “The accused must be brought to book and special police investigation teams should be set up to trace the guilty”, he said.
The fire broke out around 5.45 am and was doused at around 8.45 am after five fire tenders reached the spot. The security guard who reached the church in the morning informed Father Antony Francis, the pastor of the church about the fire.
“The fire has completely charred the sanctuary, sacristy and the first floor balcony,” a police official said.
As news of fire spread out, hundreds of people gathered outside the church. Later, the devotees also staged a sit-in protest outside local police station demanding fair probe into the incident.
“Samples have been picked up from the spot by the fire department and forensic team. We have to wait for their report to ascertain the exact cause of fire. We have registered an FIR and further investigations are underway,” said a senior police official. A case under section 436 IPC (mischief) have been registered on the complaint of the church authorities.
Fr Stanley Kozhichira, media director of Delhi archdiocese expressed his desolation at the extent of the damage. “The destruction has been so extreme,” Fr Kozhichira said, “that the church cannot be used unless it is completely rebuilt.” The altar, as well as the area where the congregation is seated, was completely destroyed. “Kerosene was poured in the sanctuary area, as well as the back, where there are at least 60 pews. There has been absolute desecration, it’s like standing on a funeral pyre,” informed the audibly upset priest.
Addressing the media after the incident, Archbishop Couto said apart from the judicial enquiry, the government must repair the building before Christmas. “The accused must be brought to book and special police investigation teams should be set up to trace the guilty”, he said.
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