The All India Catholic Union (AICU), Asia’s oldest laity organisation, which has been in existence for 106 years, has offered its prayers and best wishes for the health of Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church.
During a working committee meeting held in Jharsuguda, Odisha, AICU highlighted the need for Pope Francis’s spiritual leadership, especially in the current global climate, where each continent is grappling with pressing challenges affecting its people. Issues such as climate change, violence, hate crimes, the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, and the ever-widening gap between the wealthy and the poor are matters of significant concern for the Holy Father.
Despite facing health challenges, Pope Francis continues to serve as a beacon of hope and healing for people worldwide.
AICU has urged both national and state governments in India to take inspiration from the Pope and actively work towards fostering peace and harmony. The organisation called for an end to hate speech, targeted violence, and the coercion of religious minorities and marginalised communities, including Dalits and indigenous populations, in regions across North, Central, and North-eastern India.
According to AICU, the responsibility falls upon the Union and state governments to ensure the safety of minorities and marginalised groups. Authorities must take proactive measures to prevent any form of violence and reassure these communities that their security is a priority.
The organisation also expressed deep concern over developments in Arunachal Pradesh, where efforts are underway to revive the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978. This law had remained dormant for 47 years, but its potential reinstatement has sparked protests among Christians in the state. Many fear that if the Act is enforced, it will disrupt the existing harmony among indigenous tribes and communities.
In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently announced plans to amend the state’s anti-conversion law, proposing that the conversion of girls be made a punishable offense carrying the death penalty.
Meanwhile, in Manipur, which has been placed under President’s Rule, AICU pointed out that concrete action is still lacking when it comes to rehabilitating over 60,000 internally displaced individuals who continue to live in makeshift camps without government support.
The organisation also noted reports from hate crime documentation groups, which recorded 834 incidents of violence against the Christian community in different states by December 2024. Among these states, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have emerged as hotspots for widespread hate campaigns, brutal mob violence, and social ostracisation. AICU stressed that elements within the law enforcement and judicial systems are complicit in these attacks, with many incidents going unreported due to fear of retaliation in an environment of impunity and political backing.
Nevertheless, the AICU leadership remains firm in its belief that ordinary citizens of India are not the ones behind these hate campaigns and violent acts. Instead, the organisation stated that it is the responsibility of those in power to identify the individuals, groups, or organisations involved and ensure that they are held accountable.