Catholic bishops demand ‘withdrawal or revision’ of Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law | Mumbai News

Catholic bishops demand ‘withdrawal or revision’ of Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law (Representative image)

MUMBAI: Catholic bishops of Maharashtra affiliated to the Western Region Bishops’ Council have expressed “deep disappointment and strong protest” against the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act 2026 that was recently passed by the state assembly. They have demanded its “withdrawal or substantial revision”.“Far from safeguarding religious freedom, this law undermines the very right it claims to protect, i.e. the freedom to choose and profess one’s religion, as guaranteed under the Constitution of India,” they said in a press statement Thursday.“We strongly oppose this Act in its current form and call for its immediate withdrawal or substantial revision. Religious freedom is not a concession granted by the State; it is a fundamental right,” they wrote.The statement was signed by Elias Gonsalves, archbishop of Nagpur, John Rodrigues, archbishop of Bombay, Sebastian, archeparchy of Kalyan, Thomas D’sousa, bishop of Vasai, Lancy Pinto, bishop of Aurangabad, Simon Almeida, bishop of Pune, Ephrem Nariculam, eparchy of Chanda, Malcolm Sequeira, bishop of Amravati, Matthews Mar Pochomio, eparchy of Khadki, Agnelo Pinheiro of the diocese of Sindhudurg as well as auxiliary bishops Savio Fernandes, Stephen Fernandes and Allwyn D’souza of Mumbai.