Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 2: Indian Christians have voiced apprehensions following a recent Madras High Court observation suggesting that church properties might be placed under state supervision, similar to the structures governing Hindu and Muslim properties. The proposal has emerged amid allegations of misuse of church assets and internal power struggles.

In an October 23 ruling, the Madurai bench of the Madras high court issued notices to the federal government and Tamil Nadu state, requesting feedback on whether church properties should be overseen by a statutory body akin to the Hindu endowment boards and the Muslim Waqf Board.

Fr Robinson Rodrigues, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), confirmed that the CBCI is aware of the order and is currently evaluating its legal impact. "Our legal department is conducting a study on its implications," Fr Rodrigues stated, though he refrained from commenting further as the case is still pending in court.

The court pointed out that, unlike the structured regulatory bodies for Hindu and Muslim charitable assets, Christian properties often lack similar oversight. However, Jesuit priest and lawyer Fr A Santhanam contested the court's findings, clarifying that church properties are typically purchased rather than donated. “The court’s observation does not entirely reflect this distinction,” he told UCA News on October 28. Fr Santhanam also advised church leaders to handle assets responsibly, warning that mismanagement could prompt external interventions, including judicial oversight.

This case arose from disputes over employee appointments and salaries at Scott Christian College in Tamil Nadu, where the court cited concerns of asset misuse for personal gain. The court will revisit the case on November 18.

The court’s interest in a regulatory body partly stems from petitions filed by members of the church of South India (CSI), a Protestant denomination that inherited Anglican Church properties post-independence. Due to administrative conflicts within CSI, the Madurai court had appointed a two-member panel earlier this year to oversee its affairs. However, the Supreme Court of India later limited the panel’s authority.

Some Christian communities, particularly in Kerala and Maharashtra, have long advocated for laws governing church properties. Acknowledging these pressures, one unnamed church official stressed the need to resolve internal matters independently to avoid government intervention.

While Christians represent only 2.4% of India’s population of 1.4 billion, the proposed regulation of church assets has raised widespread concerns among this minority community.