Author:
Publication: www.christreview.org
Date: November 18, 2003
URL: http://www.kentaxrecords.com/iaca/php/item_display.php?id=1069143739&type=news
Indians Against Christian Aggression
[IACA]
John Paul II told a group of Indian
bishops that the Church should target lower caste Hindus for conversion
in an attempt to end caste-based discrimination. At the same time, he has
condemned the caste system when he met with the bishops of the ecclesiastical
provinces of Madras-Mylapore, Madurai and Pondicherry-Cuddalore, at the
conclusion of a series of five-yearly visits by the prelates of India.
In particular the Pope, declared to pursue certain segments of Hindu society:
"At all times, you must continue to make certain that special attention
is given to those belonging to the lowest castes, especially the Dalits,"
he exhorted the bishops.
In the past, the Church has heavily
targeted weaker members of Indian society for conversion that are not as
closely affiliated with mainstream Hinduism. Such "soft targets" that the
church continues to aggressively target are lower caste Hindus, low income
families, women, young children and adolescents and rural or tribal communities.
The church has also justified their targeting of these groups by claiming
they are "persecuted". However, many have criticized the Church for simply
exploiting the impoverished situation of these groups for the church's
gain with no genuine concern for their welfare.
The Pope vowed to end "discrimination
based on race, color, creed, sex or ethnic origin." "Ignorance and prejudice
must be replaced by tolerance and understanding," John Paul II said, repeating
the words he expressed during a homily in Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi,
on Feb. 2, 1986.
Yet notably, the Pope never mentioned
to end discrimination based on religion, an apartheid the Church is guilty
of. Before the Pope preaches his next sermon, perhaps he should listen
to his own advice: ignorance and prejudice of non-Christian faiths must
be replaced by tolerance and understanding.
