Assault on Christmas celebrations is an assault on India’s soul, says Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath

Describing attacks on Christmas celebrations as “a direct blow to the conscience of the nation”, Thrissur Archbishop and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) president Mar Andrews Thazhath has said such incidents “amount to an injury to the very soul of India.”

He was inaugurating a protest meeting organised by the Thrissur Archdiocese on Monday (December 29, 2025) evening against incidents of violence and intimidation targeting Christmas celebrations across the country.

“What pains society the most is the Prime Minister’s loaded silence in the face of these attacks,” Archbishop Thazhath said, adding that such silence sends “a disturbing message at a time when moral clarity is needed.”

Auxiliary Bishop Mar Tony Neelankavil presided over the protest. Speaking on the occasion, he said Christianity stood for inclusion and coexistence. “Christians believe in building a society that embraces everyone, without discrimination or fear,” he said.

‘Tragic contradiction’

Metropolitan of the Chaldean Church Mar Awgin Kuriakose highlighted what he called a tragic contradiction. “Those who should be safeguarding the peace and harmony of this country are the ones questioning the right to celebrate Christmas,” he said. “That is the real irony of our times.”

The speakers warned that targeting religious celebrations undermines India’s pluralistic ethos and threatens social harmony. They stressed that Christmas, a festival of peace, compassion and goodwill, has always transcended religious boundaries and belonged to all sections of society.

The protest saw the participation of the clergy, the faithful and members of the public, who demanded firm action against those behind the attacks and reaffirmed their “commitment to defending India’s secular and inclusive traditions.”