New Delhi, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India , apex body of the Catholic Church in India, on Friday urged the government to withdraw the FCRA bill, as it also expressed deep concern for the Christian community facing “incidents of violence, atrocities, intimidation and mob lynching” in different parts of the country.
In a message on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, CBCI president Anthony Cardinal Poola stressed that the Christian community has “served India for generations through education, healthcare, social service and humanitarian assistance,” and said the FCRA bill can hamper the institutions that are doing humanitarian service. “Our concern must be much greater: How can we uphold the dignity of every human person and build a nation where no one is left behind?” the CBCI president said.
“Every citizen has the right to live, worship and serve without fear.
We appeal to the Government and all authorities to protect this constitutional freedom and ensure justice wherever it is violated,” he said. The CBCI president said the Christian community has “served India for generations through education, healthcare, social service and humanitarian assistance, reaching especially those who are poor and vulnerable. “We therefore respectfully appeal to the Government to repeal the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, whose provisions could seriously hinder genuine charitable institutions from continuing this humanitarian service to the people of India,” he said.
Legislation Discussed Amid Protests
During the recent Monsoon Session, contentious legislation was discussed before being referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, following significant opposition protests. In related remarks, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) emphasized the importance of freedom, stating it has been ‘earned through immense sacrifice.’ He called for a renewed commitment to an India where freedom is respected, diversity is celebrated, justice is upheld, and every individual is treated with dignity on this Independence Day.
