Church legal cell expands campaign against foreign funding rules

NEW DELHI (Indian Catholic News) —  The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s Legal Cell has launched meetings, press briefings and advocacy efforts against the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act Amendment Bill 2026 (FCRA), warning it could adversely affect “our work among the poor and the less privileged”.

The new bill, according to a document released by the CBCI Legal Cell, “imposes severe restrictions on charitable organizations, particularly NGOs and Christian institutions.”

The document outlines several provisions that church leaders and legal experts fear could significantly affect organisations receiving foreign contributions, especially those engaged in charitable, educational and pastoral work.

Among the bill’s major provisions are measures allowing the “provisional and permanent vesting of foreign contributions and assets in the designated authority in the event of certificates are cancelled, surrendered, or cease to exist.”

The bill further states that “assets created partly or wholly from foreign contributions automatically vest in the designated authority upon certificate cancellation or cessation.”

Church leaders said these provisions could place institutions at risk even for administrative irregularities.

Nationwide consultations launched

According to the CBCI Legal Cell, church officials reacted quickly after learning the bill was likely to be introduced in Parliament in early April.

The bishops’ conference then organised consultations involving religious leaders, legal experts and civil society representatives.

“Series of meetings were conducted by CBCI, jointly with the Conference of Religious India (CRI) and Dynamic Lawyers Forum (DLF) with office bearers, legal experts, chartered accountants and heads of various other religions,” the document said.

The CBCI Legal Cell also intensified media outreach efforts to draw public attention to the issue. “Several press conferences and press briefings were conducted from time to time, to effectively communicate our concerns and mobiles public opinion,” the report added. “CBCI and DLF participated in a debate arranged by Goodness TV on FCRA Bill,” it said.

Church leaders said advocacy efforts extended directly to government officials and lawmakers.

“This was followed by an immediate action of submitting a Memorandum to the Hon’ble Home Minister and all the Members of the Parliament on 31 March through their personal email and even late night of 1st April we could reach out to the Honourable Prime Minister,” the report stated.

On April 1 the government informed the Lok Sabha that it would not take up the bill to amend the foreign contributions regulation law in the ongoing Budget session.

Legal awareness and advocacy efforts expand

The CBCI Legal Cell said it has also focused on educating dioceses, congregations and lawyers about the implications of the proposed amendments.

An online webinar conducted jointly by CBCI, CRI and the DLF drew “over 600 participants,” according to the document.

Another online legal session held on May 17 for the National Lawyers Forum saw participation from 107 attendees.

The report also said a delegation led by Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto of Delhi and CBCI Secretary General met Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to explain “the legal complications of it.”

“Our legal team was invited by Dioceses and Religious Congregations for explaining the Bill’s nuances,” the document noted.

The Legal Cell also said it has begun collecting information from institutions that have already lost FCRA licences “to study and see what legal course of action to be initiated,” the report said.

The bishops’ conference further announced plans to establish a dedicated research and assistance desk “to address issues related to FCRA and to take appropriate steps in pending and affected cases by June,” it stated.

Church outlines future strategy on FCRA compliance

The CBCI Legal Cell said future efforts will focus on awareness campaigns, compliance measures and broader collaboration with civil society groups.

Under a section titled “WAY FORWARD,” the document said “Awareness Buildings Continues” and called for “Creating awareness through various media platforms.”

The report also urged institutions to ensure “Strict adherence compliances” and “Prioritize compliances and asset structure.”

The Legal Cell further advocated “procedurals safe guards,” “consultative review” and “Internal auditing to keep our houses in order.”

Church leaders also called for stronger partnerships with civil society organisations and continued engagement with political authorities. “Join hands with likeminded NGO’s NPO’ s and civil society organisations,” the document said, while also recommending “Meeting with political leaders and the government offices.”

Read the full report.