Church rift over Catholic stance on political situation ahead of the general election

NEW DELHI: The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Council for Laity has launched a nationwide drive to formulate a Catholic stance on the current political situation in the country ahead of the general election, a move disputed by CBCI sources, saying the Council of Laity is “not a representative of the Catholic body.”

However, the Council for Laity will organize a series of events in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections to raise issues within the community like attacks on churches, growing danger of communalism and challenges to the Catholic faith in India.

After the exercise, which will take the campaign to the grassroots, a report will be submitted to CBCI on March 10 to firm up a position. CBCI has 14 regional councils and 174 Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Among the topics that will be thrown up for discussion include violation of constitutional rights and denial of minority welfare schemes to Christians, challenges to areas of service like educational institutions, hospitals and orphanages and growing dangers of communalism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured Catholic Church leaders that their concerns about the attack on churches and other issues will be looked into. (IANS)

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