In solidarity with the victims of religious violence, at the congress of the National United Christian Forum held in New Delhi on 14 December 2023, joint initiatives were studied in view of the upcoming General Elections in India, along with the planning of a survey on the state of Christian educational institutions in the country.

We quote from Asianews, the appeal of the representatives of the various Christian churches that are members of the National United Christian Forum (Ncuf).

The NCUF includes Catholic bishops, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), which brings together Protestant and Orthodox Churches, and the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), made up of Pentecostal and Independent Churches.

The NCUF held consultations on this matter to explore ways to reach out to victims and work with them for rehabilitation and medical care as well as reconciliation and peace between ethnic and religious groups.

Against the background of ongoing violence against Christians, the meeting also discussed how to disseminate and implement a joint ecumenical document: “Christian witness in the multireligious world. Recommendations for conduct”.

Along with the document’s dissemination in local languages, participants expressed the desire to establish a national interfaith forum to promote mutual relations and dispel prejudices and misunderstandings.

Regarding the upcoming general elections in 2024, the NUCF will urge Christians to actively take part as responsible and engaged citizens, by facilitating voter registration.

It was also proposed to organise national consultations to talk with political parties regarding the concerns, issues, and demands of the Christian community.

Lastly, the idea of a study on the state of Christian educational institutions in India was accepted, while an update was provided on initiatives to promote equality of status for Dalit Christians.

Read the article in full:

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Indian-Christians-together-against-sectarian-violence-59788.html#google_vignette