Colombo (Fides Service) - That there is great concern and perplexity with regard to anti-conversion law is seen by the fact that the Catholic Bishops of Sri Lanka felt the need to address a letter to the Members of Parliament called to give a vote on the Bill.
In the letter sent to Fides the Bishops recall the rights sanctioned at article 10 and 14 of Sri Lanka’s Constitution which guarantees full freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of thought and expression.
The Bishops voice regret that in the past individuals or groups may have helped create prejudice and fear with regard to Christians generating the idea that they aim to destroy local ancient traditions, culture and religion.
Underlining that no one can be converted by force and that conversion is something between the individual person and God, the Bishops reiterate the need to set up an Interreligious Council to examine the question thoroughly and they say the Bill must not be approved in haste. The letter urges MPs to keep in mind two fundamental principles: respect for freedom of conscience and religious; building of interreligious harmony in Sri Lanka, recalling that parts of the bill have already been declared ‘unconstitutional’ by the Supreme Court, but that this fact was totally ignored by its promoters.
The letter explains that Christianity existed in Sri Lanka long before colonial rule and that Christians came to the Indian subcontinent with the Apostle Thomas in the 1st century AD. Christianity, moreover, contributed to the cause of independence from Great Britain, but since 1960 has suffered violations of its freedom such as the nationalisation of schools, ban on building churches and even attacks on Christians and Christian structures.
This situation the Bishops say in the letter does not help interreligious harmony in the country. And with this law the situation could get worse.
The Bishops end the letter calling on MPs to consider that freedom of religion is an integral part of all freedoms, freedom of thought, conscience, word, expression and association. And they ask the PMs to vote against this Bill in order to protect freedom, equality and brotherhood.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/4/2005 righe 27 parole 272)