Title: Judge defends
Pope call for 'conversion'
Author:
Publication: The Hindu
Date: January 2, 2000
Mr Justice Cyriac Josep
of the Delhi High court has defended the call made by Pope John Paul II
during his recent visit of India, for more conversions to Christianity.
Inaugurating the jubilee
celebrations of the Thrissur Archdiocese here today, Mr Justice Cyriac
said the Pope had really meant 'conversion' of people to Christianity and
not mere 'conversion of hearts', as is being projected by some Catholic
leaders.
"Evangelisation is a
basic religious responsibility, entrusted to every Christianity by Jesus
Christ. No Christian can run away from it. We need not be defensive
about the Pope's call for Christ among more people and for bringing them
into the fold of Christianity. If someone makes use of this
statement to rake up controversies, we must bravely face the consequences
and be ready for martyrdom to defend our right to propagate our religion,"
he said.
Pointing out that the
Indian concept of secularism has many special natures, unlike the one in
the West, the judge said Indian secularism is not against religion as was
implemented in the erstwhile Soviet Union, nor is it indifferent to religion
as is being practised in the U.S. Secularism means equal treatment of all
religions and it is neither against religion nor does it represent an attitude
indifferent to religion.
In India, the Government
often spends money from its exchequer to help religious activities and
institutions. The Government funding for subsidising the Haj pilgrimage
or the decision of the Vajpayee Government to sanction about Rs 200 crores
for the Khalsa celebrations are examples in this regard, he said.
According to him, attempts
are being made to misinterpret the principle enshrined in the Constitution
that "all religious should be given equal treatment". The actual
meaning of this principle is that the Government shall give equal treatment
to all religions, but some people are trying even private citizens should
given equal treatment to all religions.
" It is like asking one
to love every mothers as one's own mother. I would respect and love
the mothers of others, but I will certainly give more love and respect
to my own mother. Similarly, I will respect other religions, but
that does not mean that I do not have the right to maintain special love
and respect for my own religion," Mr Justice Cyriac said.
