Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Fides Service) - The Catholic Bishops of Sri Lanka are profoundly concerned about a spreading anti-Christian movement among extremists groups of the the Buddhist majority and two prosposed laws which represent a threat to religious freedom: the Bill on Prohibition of Forcible Conversion and the Act for the Protection of Religious Freedom.
After a series of anti-Christian attacks on the part Buddhist fundamentalist groups in what would appear to be a social and political anti-conversion campaign, there is growing fear among Sri Lanka’s Christians and the Bishops in particolar. The latest episode was on 16 July when fanatics sacked and burned Holy Cross church in Anuradhapura diocese.
The Catholic Bishops say that at the root of this anti-conversion movement is the proliferation in the last thirty years of Protestant Christian sects whose methods have irritated the Buddhist majority. Fundamentalist Buddhist groups groups accuse alll Christians indiscriminately of proselitising and making forced conversions. Last year nine Buddhist monks were appointed members of parliament to support legislation to prevent such conversions.
The Island’s Christian leaders were deeply concerned when a small group of MPs presented a Bill on Prohibition of Forcible Conversion for discussion in parliament last year. Assisted by expert lawyers the Christian Churches appealed to the Supreme Court on the grounds that the proposed Bill was unconstitutional. The appeal was accepted. The Court ruled that certain clauses contradicted the Constitution and violated basic human freedoms and rights. Unless clauses are removed the Bill can only be approved with a two thirds majority in parliament and a referendum because it would mean altering the Constituion.
The Bill on Prohibition of Forcible Conversion was proposed by Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) a political party whose members are Buddhist monks. If it were passed it would mean that a person who wants to change religion must inform the local authorities and that “anyone who tries to convert a person with force or fraudulent means will be punished with 7 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 Rupees (over 5,000 US dollars)”.
Another bill for discussion in parliament, the Act for the Protection of Religious Freedom proposed by the minister for Buddhist Religious Affairs Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, punishes all religious conversions with 7 years detention and a large fine. The Act would also institute an independent judiciary system with Buddhist Court Sanghadhikarana controlled by Buddhist monks. The Court would judge charges brought by village people without referring to police or state courts.
The Bishops have publicly said they too are against “forced conversions” obtained with fraudulent means, proselytising or bribes. However they also recalled that authentic converson is a matter solely between God and the individual person and that the law must always respect the supreme right of freedom of conscience. According to the Bishops the discussion over conversions should be settled through dialogue and the application of existing laws, not with enw laws. And they proposed the institution of an Interreligious Council appointed by parliement to deal with the matter. The Bishops’ proposal is supported by the Sri Lanka Buddhist Commission.
Local sources told Fides that with this Act the government aims to win support from the Buddhist majority. It is highly problable that the Act will be approved.
According to the law in Sri Lanka once the Bill is tabled in parliament an appeal may be made to the Supreme Court within seven days. The local Church told Fides it intends to avail of this opportunity.
Pope Benedict XVI has also voiced concern with regard to the proposed anti-conversion bill in Sri Lanka. He made this clear when he received the Bishops of Sri Lanka on their ad limina visit in May this year. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/07/2005 Righe: 42 Parole: 489)
