At his induction service, the new Archbishop of Orissa, John Barwa, said that three years after the massacre in Kandhamal, Orissa, the Christian faith is thriving despite ongoing safety threats.
The persecution of Christians in Orissa still exists, but the faith of people has been growing, and "even the number of faithful is increasing", said the new Archbishop.
Barwa's archdiocese includes the Kandhamal district, where over 60 Christians were murdered and thousands forced to flee and hide in the jungles after the death of a Hindu leader in August 2008.
"Persecution exists, we face many challenges, not without concerns. But we believe that persecution is part of our Christian vocation and Christian life. We are not afraid, but we live it as a blessing from God," the Archbishop told Fides last week in an interview.
"We know that where there is persecution, faith is strengthened, and today I am proud to say that faith in my people is strengthening.
"The blood shed for the faith in Christ is always the seed for new Christians: in Orissa the number of Christians is increasing."
According to a report compiled by the All India Christian Council, over 14 of the 30 districts in the state of Orissa were impacted by the violence and 6,000 houses were burnt in 400 villages, including 296 churches and smaller places of Christian worship.
Barwa stated there was still a "subtle form of oppression and intimidation" carried out and that some Christians who fled in terror have not yet been able to return to their homes.
"At the base there is hatred and hostility against Christians that result in discrimination on behalf of some sectors of society and also by the institutions."
The Archbishop said his confidence in justice, police and civil authorities had been rocked but that the results of ongoing trials would show whether people can really have faith in these systems.
"Today we do not feel sufficiently secure and protected. Furthermore, at least so far, we have not received justice for the violence suffered," he insisted.
"Orissa is a test for the respect and administration of justice in India."