Date:15/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/15/stories/2004011504751400.htm

National

CBCI reiterates stand against forced conversion

By Our Staff Reporter

MULAYAM (THRISSUR), JAN.14. The newly elected office-bearers of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) have reiterated the stand of the Catholic churches in India against forced conversion. The CBCI president, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, the first vice- president, Archbishop Mar Jacob Thumkuzhy, the second vice- president, Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, and the secretary-general, Bishop Percival Fernandes, made this position known while addressing a press conference on the concluding day of the seven-day biennial General Assembly of the CBCI which is the apex body of the Catholic Churches in India, at Marymatha Major Seminary, in Mulayam near Thrissur today.

``We don't believe in forced conversion. It is against our theology. In fact if it is proved that if any conversion is a forced one we don't register that baptism. Even if somebody most willingly joins the church, we don't admit him immediately, but only through a gruelling process.