BELAGAVI
Decrying reports that the Backward and Minority Welfare Department of Karnataka plans a survey of Christian missionaries and their places of worship, Archbishop of Bangalore Peter Machado said the government should instead take count of educational institutions and health centres run by Christian missionaries to note the service rendered by the Christian community.
Archbishop Machado issued a hard-hitting statement on Friday denouncing the proposed survey of Christian missionaries and their places of worship as a “futile and unnecessary” exercise.
The proposed survey is expected to have widespread implications since there are a number of Goan priests and nuns serving in and around the Diocese of Belgaum.
“There is no good that will come out of it (survey). In fact, in the background of the conversion bogey and anti-religious feelings that are being whipped up, it is dangerous to make such surveys. With this, our community places of worship as also pastors and sisters will be identified and may be unfairly targeted. We are already hearing of such sporadic incidents in the north and in Karnataka already,” said Archbishop Machado.
He questioned the government interest in surveying religious places of worship only of the Christian community. “We are sad that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, whom we regard highly as a broad-minded and enlightened person, has succumbed to pressures from fundamentalist groups, who wish to indulge in disturbing the peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence in the society.”
“Let the government take count of educational institutions and health centres run by Christian missionaries. That will give a fair idea of the service rendered by the Christian community to nation-building. How many people are converted in these places and institutions?”
“If as alleged by some, Christians are convening indiscriminately why the percentage of Christian population is reducing regularly when compared to the others?” asked Archbishop Machado.
“We are always against forceful, fraudulent and incentivised conversions and we repeat that we are lawfully abiding by the prescriptions of the Constitution of India, which for us is supreme and sacred.”
Archbishop Machado reiterated that the Constitution ensures the freedom of every citizen to profess, practice and propagate his/her religion without fear or force.
“Why do we need any anti-conversion laws when there are enough safeguards enshrined in the Constitution and the legal system of the country to punish the guilty? Further laws will only be tools in the hands of a few to hound and persecute the innocent.”
Archbishop Machado recalled that the Madras Court had recently declared that merely going to church and displaying Christian symbols does not mean that a person has converted.
“The Christian community is patriotic, law-abiding and would like to be foremost in the service of the poor and downtrodden in the country. We need support and encouragement from the government,” he added.
