Protestant intimidation in India holding back 'flood' of conversions to Catholicism, bishop says [CN-USA]

[Catholic_Press]

Konigstein, Germany, Jul 26, 2009 / 04:45 pm (CNA).- A leading bishop from northeast India says violence and intimidation by some Protestant groups there are preventing thousands of people from converting to Catholicism.

Bishop of Kohima Jose Mukala told the Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that there has been an upsurge in attacks and propaganda against the Catholic Church in Kohima, a mainly Protestant region.

There have been thinly-veiled threats on his life, church buildings have been destroyed, and a ban on conversions has been imposed by some village elders.

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[josethomas]

But see what is happening in Kerala, a bastion of Catholicism. In the name of traditionalism, and the fostered factionalism in its name, and the lack of true adherence to the Universal mission of the Church, there is some sort of retardation in faith, and the protestents particularly the pentecostals are taking advantage of the confusion and catholics are in large numbers getting converted to Protestentism. This area also requires due attention.

Jose Thomas.

 

[Departed_Light]

If there is intimidation and violence by non-Catholics towards Catholics keeping them from discerning their actions and worship from the Catholic tradition, then that is wrong. Freedom to worship God is paramount. There can be no compulsion with regard to religious freedom.