The Order of Mother Teresa faces accusations of promoting “forced conversions,” a crime under Indian law.
Newsroom (22/12/2021 11:00 AM, Gaudium Press) Following a complaint by a social worker in Gujarat province, police have opened an enquiry to investigate whether the Order of Mother Teresa promotes forced conversions.
The Order was founded in 1950 by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In their founding constitutions, the Missionaries of Charity include “not to impose the Catholic faith on anyone.”
According to the complaint, girls of the Vadodara boarding school would be forced to carry a cross and read the Bible.
Indian Law ban conversions
In recent years, the Hindu-majority state of Gujarat has passed rigid rules against religious minorities.
The agent who denounced the congregation, Mayank Trivedi, said in an interview with AFP that 13 copies of the Holy Scriptures were found in the institution’s library. Girls at a boarding school would be forced to read the biblical texts and wear crosses.
Religious persecution rises in India
Human rights activists are increasingly concerned about the increasing religious discrimination in India following the Narendra Modi government. This year, the news reported more than 300 anti-Christian acts.
For the first time since 2004, the American Commission on Religious Freedom included India on the list of countries of concern.
A few days ago, a mob attacked a Catholic school with stones while students took their exams. (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
