ASIA/INDIA - The Bishop of Vasai: "The Church responds to violence with forgiveness and doing good"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Towards the attacks by Hindu extremist groups, who "have their own agenda", the Christians respond by "doing good": more than 33% of social services in India, in the field of education and health care, are carried out by Christians. "A true miracle, if one thinks that the faithful are around 4% compared to the huge population": this is what His Exc. Mgr. Felix Machado , Bishop of Vasai, former Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue says in an interview to Fides, tracing a picture on the condition of Christians and saying he is "confident" about the future of the Church in India.

Excellency, is the Church in India under attack?

In some areas of India, some Hindu extremist groups carry out an agenda made of hatred and falsification of the Christians’ testimony. In the Church’s history there have always been forces that are opposed to faith. We will always have persecution. When the Gospel is proclaimed, many accept Christ’s message and get baptized, while others reject it. We know this very well: Christian faith has been present since the time of the Apostles St. Thomas and St. Bartholomew, who evangelized our land. Today Christians in India have great awareness and maturity: they are not anyone’s enemy, they want to build peace, harmony and reconciliation, despite the attacks and violence they suffer.

What are the forces and the reasons for such violence?

There are external forces and internal forces which damage the Christian community. Hindu fundamentalists are the external forces who spread their ideology and their agenda. They are also found in politics and government, so they make laws against life or against the truth. They attack Christians for political or economic reasons. We ourselves are the internal forces, who do evil things when we do not live to the teachings of the Gospel with fidelity, we ignore the treasure of faith: so each Christian does harm to the Church.

How do the faithful respond to violence?

We respond to violence with forgiveness, never with violence. We know that evil is overcome with good. To cause victims among Christians also provides information to gain good publicity in the world. Sometimes the basis of violence is the desire for fame.

Are Christians a respected minority in the country?

They are highly respected. Despite the attacks they suffer, Christians are known and appreciated throughout the country for the work they carry out in the field of education, health and social services. Christians are committed to giving dignity to every person, a dignity that comes from God. 33% of social services in India are carried out by Christians: we do not say it because of pride, but we thank God. It is a miracle if one thinks we are, in total, 4% of the population. We do this to follow the teachings of Jesus. This is why people are attracted by the message of Christ.

Often Christians are accused of carrying out "forced conversions". What is your reply?

The word "conversion" is misunderstood by the Hindu fundamentalist brothers. It is God who converts a heart, it is God who gives faith. This is why politics cannot touch this intimate sphere of consciousness. Christians do not want power, but they only want to give service to man, in particular to the marginalized and the excluded, the oppressed such as the Dalits and the outcast. Even for this reason the Church is frowned upon by those who wish to keep the caste discrimination system alive. I would also like to say that as Christians, we cannot fail to proclaim the Gospel ... Woe to us, St. Paul would say. We must be missionaries. Mother Teresa was asked: Where does your energy come from? It comes from Jesus, she replied. The Christian is by nature a missionary, and does well to others following the example of Jesus who gave his life for mankind.

How are the relations between Christians and Hindus?

The relations are excellent: no need to dramatize the presence of Hindu fundamentalist groups, that are loud but are a tiny minority. As Christians, we recognize our Indian culture and ancient traditions, which are a gift from God, at the base of the great Indian nation. Radical Hindu groups falsify this tradition and manipulate the minds of young people, to create a fracture that does not exist. Christians are doing all they can to maintain peace and good relations everywhere, based on genuine dialogue. I would like to thank Pope Benedict XVI, who with great doctrinal clarity, teaches us how to do dialogue. I have deep respect for the faithful of other religions. And we are confident for the future. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/09/2011)