Blessed Alphonsa canonized by Pope Benedict, becomes India's first woman saint

On the other hand, Christian groups claim lower-caste Hindus who convert do so willingly to escape the highly stratified and oppressive Hindu caste system.

Christians have also been attacked and their houses and churches burnt in other states like Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

Sr. Alphonsa's canonization has been welcomed by the Roman Catholic community in India, which account for 70 percent of India's Christian minority. According to Labor Minister Oscar Fernandes, the canonization of Sr. Alphonsa has bestowed a great honor on the for the country, for she is the first Indian woman who has been granted sainthood at the Vatican. "People of Kerala are all proud of Sister Alphonsa," he said.

"It (canonization) is a very important event and a big recognition for a woman born in a simple, ordinary Indian family," said Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Orissa.

"At this time of suffering, it will help us and inspire us," the archbishop said.

"Sister is an inspiration for Indian people and her elevation as Saint has contributed to the pride of all the churches," said Father Cosmos of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the governing body of Indian Roman Catholics.