Abp Peter Machado
Bangalore

 I understand that the Karnataka Government instructed the deputy commissioners of all districts in the state to conduct a survey of churches, why such a survey and what is the motive?
Yes, I was told that the Deputy Commissioners were asked to make a survey of the Hindus or others who were converted to Christianity in the last 25 years, presumably because there were reports that the number of Christians were increasing. This accusation is being made of the Christian Community by many in Government departments and others too.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Backward Classes and Minorities decide to check “forced conversions” by Christian missionaries. Do they consider all conversions as forced?
Unfortunately, all the conversions that have taken place are considered as either “forced” or “fraudulent” or “incentivised”, which is not true. There are many people who declare that they have voluntarily embraced the Christian faith and that they were not forced at all nor were in any way influenced by material or other gifts.
An internal order was issued by the ADGP of the State Intelligence Department to gather information about “authorised and unauthorised” churches. The order was sent to all Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) in the state to check churches and community prayer halls in their respective jurisdictions. Do you consider such acts as ways of coercing the Christian churches from any work among the non-Christians?
Yes, it is true. This internal order, though marked as “Confidential”, was in the knowledge of the public. The order was sent to local police officers to make the necessary checks. This directive to survey of “authorised” and “unauthorised” Churches or places of worship, as also providing names of Priests / Pastors with the contact nos. etc. was very hurting. The motive behind is discernible, namely, to stop, check and counter any Christian missionary activities. Fortunately the police are going soft on the directive, after hue and cry in the Press. Recently the police came down heavily on some christians using halls or houses being utilised for prayer and worship.
The “malicious-5”, or M5, of the world Hindu Congress in New Delhi are — Marxism, Macaulayism, Missionaries, Materialism and Muslim extremism. What does it tell you leaders of the church?
I am surprised by your term “Malicious-5” ! I can understand that these terms point to forces behind, which the Hindu groups consider as inimical to them or the national interests. We are in no way part of the “Malicious-5” except the reference to the “Missionaries.” This is a common accusation, the term itself being referred to in a pejorative sense, almost indicating an hostile attitude. But thanks be to God, this is not the general opinion. Many of the non-Christians especially those who are receiving education in our schools & colleges, are very grateful for their education in the “missionary” schools. So also the health services that people look forward to in “missionary” hospitals.

“Trying to appease the ones in power, leaning towards their dangerous ideas and plans, is surely not healthy for Christians who are supposed to come from enlightened background and Church teachings and traditions.”

Everyone who lives in India understands the Hindutva agenda, still there are Christians and even leaders of Christian churches who lean to the Hindutva movement and appease them, how do you explain?
In a pluralistic society it is understandable that some Christians are members of the BJP party and even subscribe to the “Hindutva” agenda. Hindutva, again, is referred to as “soft” and “hard”. Our support to any party or ideology should always be on issues. Therefore, trying to appease the ones in power, leaning towards their dangerous ideas and plans, is surely not healthy for Christians who are supposed to come from enlightened background and Church teachings and traditions.
There is at least in Kerala a hate campaign against the Muslims by the Christens of the Syro-Malabar church? There is the controversy of love-jihad and narcotic jihad at least in Kerala, what is the truth such expressions? What should the approach of the Catholics to Muslims?
I have heard of this uneasy and hostile relationship between the Muslims and the Christians of Syro-Malabar Church. It is not good for both the Communities. I wish there could be dialogue and even if there have been isolated incidents of hurt and exaggerated accusations, we can still put them behind us after interactions and clarifications between the leaders.
By fighting with each other or denigrating each other, we will be playing into the hands of those that are waiting to shame both the communities. I am not fully conversant with the “love jihad” and “narcotic jihad” accusations against the Muslim Community and the extent of the damage being done to the Christian community. We need to educate the girls and boys of our religion, as also provide them with understanding and secure atmosphere. We cannot blame others if they poach upon our youth. Though there may be some truth in these accusations, the only way we can help each other is to dialogue and solve the difficulties between the Christians and Muslims at the local levels.
We are in Christmas time, what does Christmas mean to you? What has Christ to give to India of which the church is to be bothered?
Christmas is surely a dear season for us Christians. Not only do we spread cheer all around, love and charity flows or overflows. It is good, but it has to be more accentuated. Christmas without the poor, is no Christmas at all. In India, where Christians and Christmas are still being considered by a few as “foreign” culture, we have to bring back Christ into our Christmases. The excessive and exaggerated celebration of Christmas which has become a commercial commodity with Santaclaus becoming the icon of Christmas, rather than the real Jesus of Bethlehem. Let us celebrate Christmas as a feast of love, a feast of the family and a feast of the poor.