Church leaders from across India have launched a new national Christian body aimed at strengthening unity among denominations and responding to growing concerns over persecution and discrimination against Christians in the country.
The National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI) was officially established on 8 May during the Fourth National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship Meeting in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The gathering brought together 45 bishops, church leaders and delegates representing Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and other Christian traditions.
Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad, who currently serves as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), has been appointed chairman of the federation.
Other key leaders in the new body include Archbishop Joseph D’Souza of the Good Shepherd Church in India and the All-India Christian Council, Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt of Pala, and Bishop Vincent Vinod Kumar of the Karnataka Central Diocese of the Church of South India, who will serve as conveners.
Church leaders said the federation was created to provide a united Christian response to increasing reports of violence, intimidation and legal pressure faced by believers in different parts of India.
Speaking after the launch, Archbishop D’Souza described the NFCI as a significant ecumenical initiative designed to strengthen cooperation among churches and address the challenges confronting Christian communities.
Christian organisations have repeatedly voiced concern over attacks linked to allegations of forced religious conversion. Several states in the country have introduced anti-conversion laws, which church groups claim are frequently used against pastors, priests and Christian workers. At present, 13 states have enacted such laws.
Church leaders also expressed concern over restrictions linked to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), under which thousands of non-governmental organisations, including many connected to churches, have lost access to foreign funding after licences were cancelled or allowed to expire.
Father Anthoniraj Thumma, national secretary of the CBCI office for dialogue and ecumenism, said the new federation seeks to strengthen cooperation among churches while respecting their individual traditions and structures.
According to a statement issued by the CBCI, the federation was formed after two years of discussions and preparation. The organisation is intended to serve as a national umbrella body representing churches throughout India.
Rewritten from reports originally published by UCA News.
