Indian Cardinal Calls for Greater Unity and Cooperation at First National Churches Meeting

Christian leaders from across India gathered in Bengaluru on September 18 for the first meeting of the National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI), with Cardinal Anthony Poola calling for greater unity and cooperation among the country’s Churches amid growing challenges.

About 45 archbishops, bishops, Church heads and delegates from various Christian denominations took part in the meeting at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences in Bengaluru, southern India. The meeting was held alongside the fifth National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship (NEBF) meeting.

The gathering opened with an ecumenical prayer service for Christian unity. Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and chairman of the NFCI, delivered the welcome and inaugural address.

He said the difficulties facing Churches in India made it increasingly important for them to present a united response. The NFCI, he said, brings together bishops and heads of Churches and Christian denominations, including those belonging to other councils and synods.

The federation was launched during the previous NEBF meeting in Bengaluru on May 8 as a platform for greater cooperation among Christian Churches in India.

Archbishop Joseph D’Souza, president of the Good Shepherd Church in India and the All India Christian Council and a convenor of the NFCI, outlined possible responses to proposed amendments to India’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

He suggested that Churches submit a memorandum of their concerns and seek a meeting with the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the proposed legislation.

The open forum also addressed other issues affecting Christians in India. Archbishop Peter Machado, chairman of the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, spoke about efforts to engage political leaders over Karnataka’s anti-conversion law and briefed participants on a pending Supreme Court case concerning violence against Christians, churches and Christian institutions.

Fr. Anthoniraj Thumma, secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism and NEBF coordinator, updated participants on the long-pending issue of constitutional rights and equal status for Dalit Christians and Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Commission examining the matter.

Brother Dr. Paul Dhinakaran, in his message, highlighted the role of young people, describing the present time as “the day of the youth” and calling for greater opportunities for them to contribute to social change.

The meeting also established a core group for the NFCI, in accordance with its approved guidelines. The group will meet regularly to respond to current issues and was authorized to co-opt additional members and appoint coordinators and executive secretaries.

Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, chairman of the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism and a convenor of the NFCI, said the federation represented a step toward the goal of full Christian communion.

The meeting concluded with prayer and a blessing by Cardinal Poola, followed by a group photograph.