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| Sunday, 18 January 2004 |
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Govt. asked to consider formation of 'Inter Religious Body' Catholic Bishops' Conference in Sri Lanka has invited the government to consider establishing "Inter Religious Body" modelled on progressive measures adopted in forming "Press Complaint Commission", to inquire into and investigate any allegations of supposed "unethical practices". "The condemnation of any such practices by a representative body which has the confidence of the major religions of our country will be a better alternative", the statement said. Press communique "on the Proposed Anti-Conversion Legislation" signed by Colombo Archbishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis further said that they were of the opinion that "criminalising the practice of `unethical' conversions will not bring such a situation to an end" enacting laws to" deal with the issue" and "in fact, legislation would only exacerbate the situation further. The statement also invite to look into the reasons for people to change their religion." We are all aware that there are a multitude of reasons for people to change religions. It would not be an exaggeration to state that the reasons in every single instance of conversion from one religion to another would be unique and personal to the individual concerned. Therefore it is highly impossible to list all the probable causes for conversion and consequently it would never be possible to have a consensus on criminalising what might be termed "unacceptable" reasons for conversion or "acceptable" reasons for conversion". The Bishops have pointed out that prohibitive legislation can sometimes become an instrument of abuse. "We are also aware that prohibitive legislation can sometimes become an instrument of abuse, harassment and intimidation against minority religions in the country. That is the reason when the Tamil Nadu Legislature adopted an Ordinance to restrict conversions, the Buddhists in Tamil Nadu joined Christians to protest and defy the law. More recently in Gujarat, thousands converted to Buddhism in a public act of defiance after similar legislation was enacted". The statement added that the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka was committed to serve the people in this country. "The Catholic Church is committed serving the people of this country irrespective of their religious affiliations and that we like all other religions, also make our tenets known to all the people. We do not coerce anybody to convert and join our Church, but would stand by an individual's right to either retain or adopt a religion of his or her choice. After all every religion in the world has had converts to its ranks; without which it could not have grown. Every major religion practised in our country today originated elsewhere but was adopted as their own by the people of our country. |
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