Kerala's Council of Churches denounces forced religious conversion

Kochi, July 14: Amid ongoing incidents of religious conversion done by the missionaries across the country, especially in the south, the Kerala Council of Churches for the first time in history, declared that the church is against the forced religious conversion.

 

 

As per the press release, this issue was discussed in the meeting of the bishops and leaders of the laity that took place on July 7. During the meeting, the Council strongly condemned forced of induced conversions. The council also announced that Christianity is not a product of Europe and that their loyalty lay with India, stressing the point of "Vasudeva kudumbakam."

 

During his remarks at the meeting, President Bishop Dr. Oommen George emphasised that all Christians were citizens of India and that the Christian community shared the sentiment "vasudhaiva kutumbakam," "the world is one family."

 

 

 

"Christianity is not a product of Europe. It is a religion or a way of life which sprang from Asia. We stand committed to India’s unity and integrity", said Thomas Mar Thimothios Metropolitan who inaugurated the conclave.

 

 

Besides, the Bishops’ Conference passed four landmark resolutions. One resolution underscored the commitment of the Christian Community to the Constitution of India. The conference clarified that the Christian community would do everything possible to promote deference to the Constitution of India and organise interactive programmes to instill respect to the Constitution in the new generation.The Bishops' Conference also resolved to denounce violence, riots and extremist activities in the name of religion, language or culture.

.

.