“We will not be afraid to proclaim what Jesus means for us by word. No opposition, no fear of persecution will deter us,” stated a message from the
Indian Mission Congress attended by 1,200 delegates from 160 dioceses October 14-18 in Mumbai.
Quoting St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (9:16) in the Bible the message said, “In every way, proclaim we must: ‘Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel’.” Further, the message reiterated that the right to evangelize is a “human right enshrined in the constitution of our nation.”
The “Fundamental Rights” category, Article 25 (1) of the Indian constitution asserts that, “Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion.”
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and chairperson of the Indian Mission Congress, told Ecumenical News International, “Evangelization is telling the story of Jesus and his message. That is the mandate we have received as Christians and we cannot compromise on it.”
When asked about suspicions that other faiths have about Christian evangelization, Cardinal Gracias said, “Misunderstanding comes when others treat it [evangelization] as a threat.” He added, “We have also a duty to be sensitive to other faiths while preaching the good news.”
The cardinal said the mission congress had addressed the concerns of other faiths about Christian evangelization and that its final message had stated the Catholic Church, “will proclaim Jesus in a manner respectful of the beliefs and religious practices of others.”
Some analysts have said recent attacks on Christians may be rooted in a perceived lack of respect displayed for Hindu traditions, while there have been reports of overzealous pastors ridiculing beliefs of Hindus, who account for more than 80 percent of India’s 1.16 billion people.
“We will seek to be familiar with the national and religious traditions of our country discovering with joy and reverence the seeds of the Word hidden in these traditions,” the mission declaration noted.
The Catholic Church has also recognized inter-religious dialogue as part of the evangelization process. “Living in a pluralistic world, the Church seeks to appreciate the religious richness of the others because she ‘rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions’,” the statement asserted.
The statement also declared that “works of mercy and compassion” as well as “developmental work” are forms of evangelization work. In India, the Catholic Church is one of the most visible Christian institutions with its many centers for education, healthcare, and social services.
The five day-mission congress with the theme “Let Your Light Shine” was marked by speeches, personal testimonies, discussions, and cultural activities portraying the light of Jesus in the 13 regions that make up the Catholic Church in India. More than 100 bishops attended.
