Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - “The great celebration of the Indian Missionary Congress has been a moment of grace for the Church in India. It has been an historical moment, a new Pentecost for the Catholics of India, who were all represented at the event.” This is what Fr. Ignaci Siluvai, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, told Agenzia Fides in presenting his analysis of the event, which he himself helped plan.
“The aim was to rekindle the missionary flame in the hearts of the participants. The theme itself said so: 'Let Your Light Shine' means that it was not simply a conference, but a profound spiritual exercise, thanks to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit,” says Fr. Siluvai.
The PMS Director continued: “I really perceived the enthusiasm and zeal of the participants. It was a chance to encourage one another and realize the multi-form reality of the community of faithful in India: so many people of different languages, cultures, and customs came together in the name of their faith in Christ. The Congress was a great opportunity to widen our missionary prospects. It also helped us to keep in mind that we are Jesus' followers, to rediscover our Christian roots, to give new vigor to our missionary spirit, to celebrate faith in the Risen Christ, and to dedicate ourselves to the missions.”
Fr. Siluvai recalls that in the Congress, there were two delicate themes addressed: the persecution suffered by Christian communities in Orissa and in other parts of the country, and the so-called “forced conversions.” “The testimonies that we heard were very edifying and reminded us that in Orissa there are so many Christians who are threatened and who have even died instead of betraying their faith in Christ. Many willingly gave their lives and they are the modern martyrs of India.”
On the theme of conversions, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, in his address at the Congress, highlighted the presence of anti-conversion laws in several Indian states, with the objective of trying to stop the so-called “forced conversions.” Fr. Siluvai comments: “ We respond to this by saying that this law does not work well, as in the Church such conversions would be meaningless. Conversion is a free and sincere change of the human heart that embraces Christ and His message and no one can force a person to do so. Whoever truly wants to be a disciple of Jesus should have the right to do so: it is a human right, included in the Constitution. No civil authority has the right to enter into the sanctuary of the human conscience.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2009)
