The editorial of a Church pastoral bulletin has said that the Church in India needs to develop an Indian theology, spirituality and worship, while also calling for stronger engagement with constitutional values and civic life.
The editorial, titled Christian Patriotism in India, is written by Fr Aleixo Menezes, editor of the Church magazine Renewal (Renovacao), and reflects on the role of Christians as citizens in the Indian context, against the backdrop of Republic Day.
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Referring to Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution, the editorial notes that freedom of conscience, profession, practice and propagation of religion is a fundamental right. It also refers to the inclusion of the word ‘secular’ in the Preamble through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, stating that this strengthened the principle of religious neutrality.
The editorial points out that while there is no national anti-conversion law, 12 states have enacted their own legislations, with enforcement varying across states.
The editorial states that incidents of attacks on Christians have increased in recent years and attributes this to factors such as the rise of religious nationalism, the politicisation of religion and the narrative of “forced” or “induced” conversions. It says routine Christian activities, including education, healthcare, charity and prayer meetings, are increasingly being viewed with suspicion, leading to complaints and police cases being filed without adequate investigation.
It also highlights concerns over the social mobility of Dalit and Adivasi communities through education and social reform, noting that Christian institutions have historically worked among marginalised groups and that this is now perceived as a challenge to entrenched social hierarchies in some areas.
Placing the discussion in a historical context, the editorial recalls the participation of Christians in India’s freedom struggle, naming figures such as K C Banerjee, Accamma Cherian and Fr Jerome D’Souza, as well as Christian participation in movements such as the Salt Satyagraha. It notes that Christian educational and social institutions acted as catalysts in building political awareness and leadership during the independence movement.
Citing the 2011 Census, the editorial notes that Christians constitute 2.3 per cent of India’s population, with Catholics accounting for about 1.5 to 1.6 per cent. Despite being a small minority, it states that Christian institutions have contributed significantly to nation-building in the fields of education, healthcare, social service, environmental protection and work among marginalised communities.
The editorial proposes several measures to strengthen patriotism among Christians, including integrating education on the Constitution in seminaries, religious formation houses, schools and parishes, with a focus on fundamental rights and duties, citizenship, fraternity and national integration.
It also urges Christians, especially youth, to participate in local governance bodies such as panchayats and municipalities, and to serve in public life, including the civil services, armed forces, police and public administration.
The editorial further calls for the development of an Indian theology and worship rooted in local culture, using Indian symbols and music, while remaining within the teachings of the Universal Church. It states that the Church in India must demonstrate through its leadership, lifestyle and ministry that it is firmly rooted in the Indian context and committed to the values of the Constitution.
