Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, has raised concerns over increasing challenges to Christian living and religious freedom in India.
“India faces significant challenges in Christian living and religious freedom,” Cardinal Ferrão said in his presidential address at the 36th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI, held at XIM University in the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
He pointed to the enactment of anti-conversion laws in 18 states and a growing number of reported incidents of violence against Christians.
Anti-conversion laws in various Indian states are being criticized for their ambiguity and lack of strong justification.
The vague language used in these laws poses a serious threat to fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
People convert to different religions for multiple reasons, including personal belief changes, marriage, convenience, or even forced conversion.
These laws aim to prevent religious conversions, but critics argue that they are often used to suppress minority religions and restrict religious freedom.
Anti-conversion laws are designed to restrict or prohibit religious conversions, often through criminal or civil penalties.
Despite these adversities, he called for unity and resilience among the faithful, adding that “the Church in India remains vibrant and steadfast.”
He urged for solidarity, prayer, and concerted efforts to uphold the dignity and freedom of the Church.
The assembly, which has gathered 204 Bishops of the Latin Church in India, is focused on the theme “Discerning Synodal Pathways for Mission.”
It included spiritual conversations, reviews of biennial reports from various commissions and departments, and the election of new office bearers for the Episcopal Conference.
Pope Francis urges Indian Church to embrace poor and vulnerable
In a message to the Indian Bishops, Pope Francis underscored the Church’s mission to prioritize the poor and the marginalized.
The Pope’s message was delivered by Archbishop George Antonysamy, Vice President of the CCBI.
“I pray that your deliberations may assist the local churches to discern how best to implement the fruits of the synodal path and inspire many more of the faithful in their vocation to be missionary disciples,” the Pope said.
As the Church approaches the Jubilee Year, the Pope expressed confidence in its role as a beacon of hope.
“In this Jubilee Year, the Church in India will continue to be a sign of hope to the entire nation, always seeking to open wide its doors to welcome the poor and most vulnerable, so that all may have the hope of a better future,” the Holy Father said.