CBCI urges faith, constitutional commitment and social responsibility

India’s Catholic bishops call on faithful to live as authentic Christians and responsible citizens, defend constitutional values, support youth leadership, prioritise the poor and promote dialogue and reconciliation.

BENGALURU, Karnataka (Indian Catholic News) —India’s Catholic bishops called on Christians to live their identity with courage, defend democratic principles, empower youth, stand with the poor and promote dialogue and reconciliation in a polarised national climate.

In a statement issued Feb. 10 at the close of their 37th General Body Meeting, the bishops said that within the present socio-cultural and political scenario, they discerned “how important it is to renew our commitment to the message of Jesus Christ and also to the guiding principles enshrined in our Constitution.”

The 202 bishops from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) had gathered at St. John’s Academy of Health Sciences in Bengaluru to reflect on the theme, “Faith and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision.”

Proud Indians and authentic disciples

The bishops said they were grateful for India’s diversity and for the freedom to practise their faith. “With joy and hope, we contribute to India’s growth, harmony, and unity, and cherish the freedom to practice our faith,” the statement said.

At the same time, they noted social challenges, including “rising inequality, ecological degradation, misinformation, polarization, and anxiety about identity and belonging.” In that context, they said the Church is called to offer “a mature, hopeful, and credible public witness,” recalling the biblical call to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”

The bishops urged Christians to stand firm in their identity. “Each time our faith is questioned, or our Christian way of life is confronted, we are presented with a providential moment to deepen our relationship with Christ,” they said, adding that believers are urged to live their identity “with courage and conviction, so that the fragrance of Christ may permeate every aspect of society, inspiring hope and promoting unity among all peoples.”

Safeguarding constitutional values

The statement strongly linked Christian discipleship with constitutional responsibility. “Genuine Christian living inspires us to be law-abiding citizens who promote peace and defend human rights,” the bishops said, adding that fidelity to the Constitution flows from faith and commitment to “the common good, freedom of conscience, the dignity of every person, and the protection of India’s plural, secular, and democratic character.”

Reaffirming their commitment to the Constitution, the bishops quoted the Preamble, which envisions India as “a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic” securing to citizens “justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.”

They said it is essential to advocate for rights when they are unjustly restricted, “particularly concerning the poor, the marginalised, the Dalit and tribal people.” The statement expressed concern that “the denial of rights to Dalit Christians continues for decades as an indirect form of discrimination.”

The bishops also raised concerns about the treatment of minorities, saying such actions “weaken the democratic fabric of our society.” While reaffirming efforts to eliminate discrimination within Church communities, they urged the government to ensure “that no citizen is denied of fundamental rights of equality and freedom.”

They further criticised laws related to religious conversions, saying: “As many innocent individuals are incarcerated based on unfounded allegations of forceful religious conversions, we strongly demand the repealing of legislations which are inconsistent with religious freedom and right to privacy.” The statement cited Article 25, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion.

Youth leadership and civic engagement

The bishops said young people face growing uncertainty due to “unemployment, migration, digital vulnerability, and social pressures.” They said youth seek not only opportunities but also “meaning and moral direction.”

The Church, they said, will continue to accompany young people through “leadership formation, civic education, and ethical engagement.” The bishops encouraged youth to participate actively in democratic life, saying it has become “the need of the hour that our youngsters, as exemplary Christians and as responsible citizens of India, actively engage in politics as a vocation to service.”

Option for the poor and ethical institutions

Reaffirming a preferential option for the poor, the bishops said Christian educational and social institutions play a vital role in forming conscience and ethical leadership. They quoted Pope Leo XIV, saying: “Wherever access to education remains a privilege, the Church must push open doors and invent new pathways because to ‘lose the poor’ is to lose the very meaning of the school.”

They also noted changing forms of poverty, quoting that “the lack of a voice is often more devastating than the lack of bread.” The bishops pledged to undertake more efforts to uplift the poor and said the Church’s credibility depends on “justice, transparency, accountability, and ethical governance within her own institutions.”

Dialogue and reconciliation

In a context of polarisation, the bishops reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. “We maintain the Church’s calling to foster dialogue, reconciliation, and fraternity,” the statement said.

They committed to sustained interreligious dialogue and civil-society engagement, standing in solidarity with those who face injustice and exclusion and working together for peace, social harmony and human dignity.

Concluding, the bishops said they recommit themselves to be “a Eucharistic presence in the heart of the nation,” serving the common good with humility, courage and wisdom. Quoting Scripture, they said: “Hope does not disappoint us.”