A few days ago a local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader in Orissa was killed while protesting against conversion of Hindus by Christian priests in Orissa. VHP activists in the area have been attacking churches in the area blaming christian priests for the killing of their leader. This morning I read that the Vatican has condemned attacks on churches as bullying and has called for peace. The Vatican should perhaps remember how many times they have had to appologise for actions of its clergy before issuing stupid statements. Starting with the Crusades to the Inquisition Catholics have been resposible for the deaths of millions. In the middle ages the pope actually waged war and produced bastards from a succession of mistresses. Gallilleo was imprisoned for saying that the earth went round the sun. Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake as were thousands of 'witches'. The Church did nothing to help Jews during the Holocaust and even supported the military dictatorship in Argentina which was responsible for many extra judicial killings. The Church did nothing against slavery nor did it condemn apartheid in the strongest possible terms. Recently it has had to appologise for sexual exploitation of children. Jesus was a carpenter's son. He wore homespun, thongs or sandals on his feet and walked. His disciples were lowly fishermen and he moved among the poor, the sick and the fallen. At a time when leprosy meant a painful disgusting death he chose to embrace them. The Pope on the other hand, lives in sumptuous apartments in the Vatican, controls billions of dollars, wears silk and travels in an airconditioned Pope Mobile. Jesus NEVER converted anybody. If he has time in between lucturing us Hindus maybe he should read Jesus' words 'he who is without sin let him cast the first stone'.