Religious conversion and Kandhamal violence remained the central argument at the inter-faith dialogue between Hindu and Catholic leaders in Mumbai.
Among noted personalities from the Hindu faith were Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Jayendra Saraswati, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Mumbai Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias, and Cardinal Jean Louis P Tauran, the Pope’s representative from the Vatican, represented the Catholics.
The two-day meet at Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall was organised in the wake of recent violence on Christians and the still-paralyzing consequences of the Kandhamal carnage.
The Hindu pontiff, Jayendra Saraswati, pointed 'conversion' as the chief reason for the growing violence on minorities. He sought an assurance from the Catholic Church to halt such activities, which the latter has refuted and blamed on Protestants.
"Although conversion is a personal choice, I want to endorse that there will be no forced conversions. It has no meaning, and is considered invalid. The Catholic Church is totally against forced conversions. The Vatican documents are clear about that," media quoted Cardinal Gracias saying.
At a press conference, religious leaders from both the sides condemned the violence on Christians and even agreed to jointly associate in social work and charity.
A press statement released by Sankaracharya urged churches and Christian groups to use charity funds for social causes like health and education. The Hindu seer apart from conversions also disapproved foreign funds used for running educational and charity projects.
Furthermore, he also objected to the visit of U.S Commission on Religious Freedom to India. "We will not allow external interference in our internal affairs," he commented.
A senior BJP member and adviser to Mr. LK Advani, Sudheendra Kulkarni, was also present at the meeting. Such events will "pave way for greater understanding," he said.
The Vatican representative Cardinal Tauran expressed much hope in the inter-faith meeting, which he said, will have a positive outcome.
"India is a cradle of many religions. I am also very impressed that Indians are open minded and tolerant with positive values," he praised.
Missions
Inter-faith meet reproves conversion, Kandhamal riots
By: Babu Thomas
Saturday, 13 June 2009, 15:19 (IST)
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Have your say on this article
Added: Saturday, 13 June 2009, 17:17 (IST)
As a protestant pastor myself I condemn conversion by force. Why does the Catholic Church blame all protestants for it? Those doing these are groups that are acting on their impulse than the good teachings of Christianity. No conversion by force should be accepted. But what about those who convert after knowing Christ, shouldn't we support them and they cant be put in the same group of those by force, right?
Pastor Rufus, India
Added: Sunday, 14 June 2009, 8:10 (IST)
Hindus reject adding prefixes to the immoral and genocidal concept of religious conversion. There is no such thing anymore as 'forced' conversion because the days of colnialism are past. So while the Pujya Kanchi Swamiji asked for a halt to all conversions, the Vatican priest intentionally construed it to mean "forced" conversion. There are no more forced, ethical or unethical conversions in public discourse. All conversions must stop. If the all churches do not voluntarily stop religious conversions, Hindu society knows how to handle evangelists. RR
Radha Rajan, Chennai, India
Added: Monday, 15 June 2009, 11:24 (IST)
We may not understand who is putting the blame on protestants as many times things are misrepresented. At any rate, no Bible believing Christian believes in forced conversion. At the same time, no man can stop true conversion of the heart which is the power and work of the Holy Spirit in action - God adds His testimony to win more souls to the eternal salvation in Christ that is available to everyone. Let all Christians be united and look to Christ to mould us all together into the True Body of Christ.
Rose, Bangalore India
Added: Tuesday, 16 June 2009, 1:56 (IST)
Forced Conversion is an eyewash. If conversion by force of by temptation could have been true then christian population would have been at least 50 percent of the country as the British Govt. was in power for more than 200 yeas. It is unfortunate that my Hindu brothren have failed to give equal status to Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs. The hoax of conversion is a political propaganda which is used by congress as well as BJP. The anti christian and anti Muslim policy of BJP is well know but we forget to estimate the the same bout congress. We consider congress as secular and christian friendly which is wrong. Eight states in India passed Anti conversion bills and made Acts. Out of eight, 5 were enacted by Congress govts in the state, the latest among those is the Act passed in 2006 in Himachal Pradesh by Congress govt. to attract the Hindu votes in the forth comming Assembly election. But congress lost the election and the Govt. too. Madhya Pradesh Govt. led by congress made the act in 1966, the same was extended in Chhattisgarh in 2000 when the new state was formed. Ajit Jogi of Congress was the first CM but he did not take care repeal it to attract hindu votes. Congress lost two assembly elections in the state thereafter.The congress govt. of Orissa made the Act in 1967. In 1978,congress govt. of Arunachal pradesh enacted the anti conversion Act. So the 5 states namely MP, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have the ani conversion acts due to courtesy of so called secular congress govt. The other 3 states are, Tamli Nadu ] Gujarat and Rajasthan. In 2002 JayLaita made the Act due to alliance with BJP at Centre but repealed by her in 2004 when the alliance was broken. In 2003 BJP govt. passed the bill in Gujarat. In 2008, BJP govt. of Rajasthan passed the bill but it could not get the status of ACT as the Governor did not approve it. Above to these state level enactments, the Congress govt. at centre under Prime Ministership of Jawahar Lal Nehru, had accepted two bills in the parliament (Indian Conversion (Regulation and Registration Bill) 1954 and Backward Communities (Religious Protection) Bill 1960 but could not get it passed as the ST, Dalit and OBC MPs and leaders were not keen on it as the bill appeared completely a upper class agenda. If Nehru could have passed this than a Central Act againt conversion would have been prevailing all over India. So the conversion issue and the tactical handling to it by Congress as well as BJP is nothing but just to get political gain. The christian communities specially in the tribal belts are the worst sufferers from congress as well as BJP.
belkhas kujur, Ranchi, Jharkhand India
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