Indian Church urged to embrace Dalit Christians without prejudice

KOCHI, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — Kerala’s Catholic bishops have urged Catholics to make the cause of Dalit Christians “the cause of our entire Church,” calling for greater compassion, stronger advocacy and expanded educational support ahead of Justice Sunday on Aug. 16.

The appeal came in a circular issued July 16 by the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council‘s Commission for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes (SC/ST/BC Commission), marking the annual observance established by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in 1986 to promote solidarity with Dalit Christians.

The bishops said Dalit Christians continue to experience discrimination despite constitutional guarantees intended to uplift historically marginalized communities.

“We remind everyone that the cause of Dalit Christians must be taken up as the cause of our entire Church, that our attitudes toward them must change, that we must treat them with compassion without prejudice, and that we must offer encouragement, support, and cooperation for all their activities,” the bishops wrote.

Dalit, a Sanskrit term meaning “broken” or “trampled upon,” refers to the former “untouchable” communities at the bottom of India’s traditional four-tier caste system.

Under India’s Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950, Scheduled Caste benefits are limited to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, excluding Christians of Scheduled Caste origin.

The circular described the exclusion as “not merely religious discrimination; it is indirect religious persecution.” It further called the policy “uncivilized, discriminatory, and contemptible,” saying it is “a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution” and “a decision that stains India’s secularism.”

The bishops said Dalit Christians “continue to face neglect and discrimination today simply because they embraced the Christian faith” and argued they “will receive justice and protection in society only if they are included in the Scheduled Castes list.”

They urged Catholics to support ongoing efforts to persuade India’s central and state governments to extend Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians, saying, “The collective efforts and constant prayers of all members of the Church are required for this cause.”

Education, empowerment and parish participation

While praising the Church in Kerala for advancing educational opportunities for Dalit Christian students, the bishops said “the Church needs to do even more for their elevation.”

They highlighted scholarships, diocesan financial assistance and four empowerment initiatives focusing on talent development, career orientation and entrance coaching for professional courses.

The circular also urged Church institutions to give “qualified Dalit candidates” special consideration for employment based on merit.

The commission also called on parishes to establish branches of the Dalit Catholic Mahajana Sabha, the Kerala Catholic Church’s organization for the welfare of Dalit Christians, where they do not exist and strengthen existing ones.

To mark Justice Sunday, the bishops instructed parishes across Kerala’s Syro Malabar, Latin and Syro Malankara Catholic Churches to hoist the Dalit Catholic Mahajana Sabha flag, educate the faithful about the day’s significance and organize special programs.

The offertory collection at Masses on Aug. 16 will be dedicated to “the empowerment of our Dalit brothers and sisters,” the circular said, emphasizing that “our Dalit Catholic brothers and sisters are an integral part of the body of the Church.”

Full statements available: In original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.