CNI Appeals Against the MP Anti-Conversion Bill

At a time when the country is going through a lot of political, social uncertainties, the decision of the Madhya Pradesh Government to make the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968 (anti conversion law) more stringent comes as a shock to all the Christians in India. The Church of North India is shocked and deeply concerned about this decision of the MP ruling party. The CNI members in Madhya Pradesh have already been going through a phase where they are worried and concerned about their existence. At such times this kind of an act is a threat to the total existence of Christians as well threat to the democratic rights of an individual enshrined in the Constitution of India. Only a few months back with the support of people in Madhya Pradesh irrespective of the faith sixteen innocent CNI Members who were arrested on false allegation in Bhil area of Madhya Pradesh were released after two years of prison. The properties owned by the Trusts related to the Christian Church are acquired by the Government without paying any compensation.

The proposed bill for amendment looks like more callous than that of the Orissa’s Anti Conversion bill in its nature of informing district magistrate not only by the one who is intending to be baptized but also by the one who will baptize giving the details of time, date and venue. In the given case, the Magistrate will have the sole authority to allow or refuse the candidate desiring to change his/her religions on the ground of satisfactory reasons at least to the magistrate conviction. The punishment for violating the law also seems to extend from the existing law. The amendment comes inspite of the recent National Commission for Minorities report which found that the Act was being misused to harass and target Christians. It reads “The National Commission for Minorities is of the view that the right to profess, practice and propagate religion, guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution, is an essential ingredient of our country’s multi-religious edifice. It urges the State Governments concerned to do nothing to water down this basic provision and resolve misgivings and misunderstanding through dialogue”.

So, the CNI issued a press release condemning the proposed bill in the secular interest of the nation and called upon Mr. Balram Jakhar, the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, not to sign the bill. It also pleaded to the President of India, His Excellency, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister, Hon’ble Shri Manmohan Singh, leader of the Party, Smt. Sonia Gandhi to rise on the occasion to safe guard the life and witness of the minority Christians who are basically tribals and from the BPL community. We are also engaged in POSTCARD CAMPAIGN asking all secular minded citizens of India to sign it and send it to the Governor of Madhya Pradesh requesting him to reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President. We would like to request our friends and partners in mission to uphold us in your prayer and show us your solidarity with us.

Mission for Minorities: Leaders meet the Commission

Continuing with its agenda to safeguard the rights of the minorities in the growing context of violence, sporadic persecution, atrocities, torturing and killing Christian people in India a delegation of church leaders met with the Chairman Prof. Hamid Ansari and Vice-Chairman Mr. Michael Pinto of the National Commission for Minorities at the Commission's Conference Hall on 4th July 2006. The CNI was represented by the General Secretary the Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan. The leaders thanked the Commission for taking a proactive step by asking the Madhya Pradesh Government not to dilute the fundamental rights of all citizens guaranteed by the Constitution by legislating some laws.

Various open instances of atrocities and many hidden atrocities were cited as examples before the Commission and the Commission was requested to produce a white paper on the conversion as allegedly done by allurement or force and also to find out any instances where anyone has been convicted since 1967. The Christian leaders jointly condemned the attitudes of the BJP ruled Government by creating a panic and resorted to hate campaign. However, silence maintained by the UPA Government at the Centre has amused the Christian community.

Punjab Government PHSEIR Act 2006 will not affect CMC, Ludhiana

A massive rally was organized on Saturday the 22nd July 2006 in Ludhiana to celebrate and express gratitude to the Punjab Government for restoring the rights of the Christian minorities in the governance of the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana by declaring through an ordinance that Christian Medical College (CMC) would be kept away from its purview of Private Health Sciences Educational Institution Regulation (PHSEIR) Act 2006. It may be recalled here that a rally of Church leaders was held in Chandigarh on 20th May 2006 organized under the auspices of the Sarb Sanjha Masihi Abhiyan. One of the demands raised in this rally was restoration of the minority rights in the governance of the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana. In just two months time the Punjab Government was forced to amend the Act through an Ordinance issued on 20th July 2006 and the Moderator the Most Rev. Joel V Mal was specially felicitated on this occasion for his leadership.

Sardar Shamsher Singh Dullo, President, Pradesh Congress Committee, Punjab along with Mr. Surinder Davar, MLA, Mr. Gill, Mayor of Ludhiana, Atiq-ur-Rehman, S. Gurminder Singh Ahwal, MLA, S. Malvinder Singh, MLA and other political leader was present on the occasion to assure his and the party’s support to the cause of the rights of the Minority. Dr. John Abraham was representing the CMC Ludhiana. Sardar Dullo called upon all the people to come together to fight against fundamentalist and fundamentalism. Earlier Mr. Prem Masih, Director, UCNITA, highlighted the plights of the Christians in Punjab and urged the Punjab Government to come out with positive measure before the Independence Day so that the Christians in Punjab may be able to experience the true freedom.

The Most Rev. Joel V. Mal once again drew the attention of all the present to the Preamble to the Constitution of India which begins with the words.. “We, the people India……” This clearly confirms the fact that the rights and responsibilities are derived from the people and the Constitution guarantees protection. He challenged all political leaders present to study the Constitution of India and even teach other leaders so that such anti-constitutional activities are not taken or encouraged by the Government in future.

Present on the occasion to express their solidarity were The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary, Synod of the Church of North India, Mr. S.K. Soloman, Vice President, CMC Ludhiana, Mrs. Cynthia Kumar, Dr. Samuel Kishen, Chief Functionary/Secretary, CNI SBHS, Mrs. Zanobia Mal, Heads of the Diocesan Institutions and related organizations.

Gujarat Diocesan Exposure Programme

An eighteen member delegation representing the Diocese of Gujarat visited the Church of North India Headquarters. This is the first step towards the exposure programme of the Diocesan presbyter initiated by the Diocese of Gujarat. Eight Deans representing eight Diocesan Deaneries viz. Ahmedabad, Surat-Valsad, Sabarkantha, Saurasdhtra, Chauratha, Raj Ankleshwar, Vyaara and Panchmala alongwith their spouses met The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary, CNI Synod. The delegation was shown the CNI film. It was enlightening for the members to see in a nutshell the work and mission of the Church. For most of them it was the first time to visit Delhi. The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan like a true teacher spoke and encouraged the delegation to read the daily devotion United to Witness based on the CNI Lectionary readings. He also encouraged the delegation to subscribe for The North India Church Review.

The delegation was given a tour of the CNI Bhawan, the met the member of the staff. The also had an opportunity to have a glimpse of Delhi. The next stop of the delegation was Agra Diocese. The Rev. Julius Christian led the delegation which included The Rev. Hiralal Vasava, The Rev. Manhar Gamati, The rev Onesimus Suvera, The Rev. Newton S. Singada, The Rev. Thakur s. Bhagat, The Rev. Ravishchandra P. Vasava and The Rev. Peter M. Mahindra. This is a good initiative on the part of Gujarat Diocese as it gives an exposure to the priest and develops in them a kind of ownership of the work God is doing through their church.

Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Sister Florence College Of Nursing

It is a great honor for Church of North India that with the help of Synodical Board of Health Services, Calcutta Diocese along with the Calcutta Diocesan Trust Association has been able to establish a College of Nursing for training of Nurses at Oxford Mission Campus, Kolkata. This is the first Nursing College established by a Diocese in CNI.

The Foundation Stone of the proposed new College building in the campus has been laid by The Most Revd. Joel V. Mal, Moderator of Church of North India on 9th July 2006 in presence of The Rt. Rev. P. P. Lyngdoh, Deputy Moderator, The Revd. Dr Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary, CNI, Dr. S. Kishen, Chief Functionary and Secretary of SBHS and The Rt. Revd. P. S. P. Raju, Bishop of Calcutta Diocese with other members of SBHS. Since the date coincided with Consecration of two Bishops at Kolkata, Bishops, many other officials of CNI, Principals of the Schools under Calcutta Diocese, Board members of College of Nursing along with many distinguished guests were also present on the occasion.

The College is affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) and recognized by Indian Nursing Council awarding B.Sc. (Honors) Degree in Nursing. Candidates opting for the course of four years duration must have passed Class XII in the Science Stream. However, GNM Nurses with two years of Clinical experience can undergo two years course Post-Basic B.Sc. Degree and upgrade themselves to graduate level. All candidates will have to apply to WBUHS which conducts entrance examination and select them. All information regarding the courses is available online www.thewbuhs.org.

Sister Florence College of Nursing is admitting this year thirty candidates for Post Basic B.Sc. Programme, session starting 1st August 2006.

Women’s Ecumenical Gathering for Church Women’s Forum

Women’s Sarwabhowmik (Ecumenical) Satsang (Gathering) was held on 22nd June 2006 in Bangalore- Vishranti Nilayam facilitated by All India Council of Christian Women. This gathering was the fruition of series of informal and organized gathering and fellowships of Church Women’s from different denominations, backgrounds, caste, class to seek creative dynamics to be united in one body of Christ. The uniqueness of the gathering was the effort made by Women’s Commission of Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), AICCW-Women’s Wing of National Council of Churches (NCCI) and Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCI) to sit together with women leaders to precipitate the voice and efforts of Church fore mothers years of quest to form a ‘Church Women’s Forum’ which would act as a catalyst of transformation.