- 24 September, 2026
MUMBAI, September 24, 2026: Christians facing hostility and allegations over their charitable and pastoral activities should respond without hatred or retaliation and remain faithful to their mission, Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes of Bombay has said.
“If Christians feed the hungry, you feed even more people,” Bishop Fernandes said, urging those who view Christian charitable activities with suspicion to respond through their own service rather than hostility.
His remarks came amid reports of disruptions to prayer meetings, attacks on churches, damage to crosses and harassment of Christians. He questioned why caring for people in need should be viewed with suspicion, particularly when allegations of forced conversion are made without evidence of force, fraud, threat or coercion.
‘Why should help depend on religion?’
Reflecting on the Christian response to people in need, Bishop Fernandes asked whether someone seeking assistance should first be questioned about their religion.
“Should we first ask what is your religion?” he asked, rejecting the idea that Christians should refuse help because a person belongs to another faith. “When someone is hungry, we feed them. When someone is sick, we care for them. When someone is abandoned, we stand beside them. And when someone is poor, we help them,” he said.
He described such action as an expression of the Christian duty to assist those who suffer and those on the margins of society.
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Freedom of conscience
Bishop Fernandes stressed the importance of freedom of conscience in matters of faith. He referred to Article 25 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional restrictions.
He said people who encounter Christianity through the Church’s work should be free to explore and make religious choices according to their conscience, while emphasising that such choices must be free from force, fraud, coercion or intimidation.
“There should be no coercion, fraud, deception or manipulation in matters of faith,” he said, stressing that this is consistent with the Catholic Church’s position.
Bishop Fernandes said allegations of religious conversion should not become a justification for intimidation or vigilantism. “Allegations must be dealt with through evidence, law and due process, not through mobs,” he said. He urged Christians to respect the law while continuing their pastoral and charitable mission.
‘We cannot stop serving’
Addressing Christians facing opposition, Bishop Fernandes said suspicion or hostility should not cause them to abandon their commitment to people in need. “We cannot stop feeding the hungry because someone suspects our intentions,” he said.
Recalling the opposition faced by the apostles after they preached about Jesus Christ, he cited their declaration: “We must obey God rather than men.” At the same time, he urged Christians not to respond to hostility with retaliation, but to remain committed to their faith and the dignity of every person.
‘A cross does not lose its meaning’
Referring to incidents involving disrupted prayer meetings, attacks on churches and damaged crosses, Bishop Fernandes said such acts should not weaken Christian faith.
“A cross does not lose its meaning because someone damages it. A prayer does not lose its power because someone interrupts it,” he said.
Recalling Jesus’ assurance, “Do not be afraid. I am with you always,” the bishop encouraged Christians to remain steadfast, protect human dignity and continue their witness without fear.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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