Panaji, Feb 5
Goa\'s Archbishop Fr. Filipe Neri Ferrao Thursday asked the central government to ensure security for minorities.

He issued a statement specifically mentioning recent \"acts of violence and intimidation against Christians\".

\"Acts of violence and intimidation against Christians have been taking place in this country, almost systematically, in the last few months,\" the statement said.

\"Such acts ... have not only hurt the feelings of the minority communities, particularly Christians, (but) created a sense of insecurity in them,\" Ferrao said.

Ferrao heads the Roman Catholic church in Goa which wields significant clout, considering that 26 percent of the state\'s population is Catholic.

Goa Bishop seeks safety for minorities