Hindu`s are flocking back to a Roman Catholic Churches in Kerala in India.

St Andrews Church at Arthunkal in Kerala in India.

A 16th century Catholic Church built by Portuguese missionaries in a coastal hamlet near here stands out as a model of religious harmony with a tradition of hosting Hindu pilgrims returning after worshiping Lord Ayyappa at the famous Sabarimala temple.

It has for long been a custom for the St Andrews Church at Arthunkal in Alappuzha District to receive the pilgrims, who take out their string of beads worn as part of the ritual during the period of vow preceding the trip to the hill shrine by paying respect before the idol of Saint Sebasitan.

During November-January, when the Mandala and Makaravilakku season of the Sabarimala temple takes place, devotees visit the sea-side church.

Traditionally, the pilgrims wear a ‘mala’ (string of beads) to mark their devotion and period ‘vrata? or renunciation of Worldly pleasures.

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI).

M comment:

Its fascinating to read about Hindus flocking to Roman Catholic Churches, both in Kerala and in Goa. Not because they have become followers of Jesus, but rather to worship gods of Hinduism.

A mix of Catholics and Hindus at the church ground in Kerala.

Why the Catholic Church accept this paganism as a way of promoting «religious harmony» needs an explanation.

When the Portuguese arrived in India, they confiscated the land of the Hindus. The Catholic Church used the colonial army to destroy Hindu temples, and build Papal Churches on the sites. Hindu goddesses worshiped in these temples were simply renamed, and adored, venerated and worshiped as various Catholic Madonna`s.

Now this evil practice of Rome returns to hunt the faithful servant of the Vatican Church.

The Bible, both old and new Testament, explains to us what is going on:

Deuteronomy 32:17
They sacrificed to demons, which are not God— gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear.

1 Corinthians 10:20
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

The book of Revelation also has a verse suitable for this Roman pagan practice:

Revelation 18:2
With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.