Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Sep 17: Christian community leader Valerian Sequeira stressed at a press conference held here on Tuesday September 16 that the Catholic community does not resort to forcible religious conversions and that the members of the community are against such acts. He also condemned the attacks on the Christian prayer centres by some misinformed groups, claiming that they are abetting conversions.

He condemned organizations like New Life, Believers' Church etc., which are not directly connected with the Catholic community, for engaging in forcible conversions. These organizations are misleading even the Catholics in the name of Jesus Christ. "On this issue, we are with other religious groups and we are ready to cooperate with them for taking legally admissible actions against such wrongdoings," he clarified.

"Although the communal forces have directed their ire against the Catholic community even in the past, we had been opposing such acts in a peaceful manner. However, we will not backtrack from taking a hardened stand, if such incidents recur in future," he warned.

He asked the government to initiate stern steps against any person or organizations that are engaged in illegal acts and demanded for the release of innocent Christian brethren who were wrongly arrested.

Municipal councillor P K Thomas and Ashwin Pereira were present at the press conference.