Christians across India unite in prayer over fresh threat to Church’s charitable services
Christians across India held a day of prayer yesterday (Sunday 28th June) amid growing fears the Church’s charitable work will be at risk if legal restrictions on foreign funding are tightened.
Church leaders warned under new draft legislation, schools, hospitals, clinics or other private charitable institutions built with overseas support could be forcibly handed over to a government-appointed authority.
As part of the nationwide prayer event responding to the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill 2026, nine hours of continuous Eucharistic Adoration was held at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Centre in New Delhi.
During opening prayers Rev’d Dr Mathew Koyickal, deputy secretary general of the conference, asked for guidance, protection and wisdom for the country’s leaders and people.
In a letter from CBCI asking parishes to pray, Cardinal Anthony Poola – India’s first Dalit cardinal – said the bill due to be discussed in the next parliamentary sitting “has raised concerns regarding its possible implications for the charitable, educational, healthcare, and social ministries carried out by Churches and Christian institutions across our country.
“The Church in India has consistently served society, particularly the poor and the marginalised, as an expression of the Gospel values of love, justice and compassion.”
Catholic parishes across the country organised events, including praying the rosary.
Other Christian communities, including the Church of South India, also observed a national day of fasting and prayer on 28th June.
Churches are concerned that the new law will make their charitable work more difficult – the original 2020 Foreign Contribution Regulation Act has already been used to cancel the registration, or deny the renewal of registration, of thousands of NGOs.
A 31st March CBCI Memorandum from the bishops to Home Minister Amit Shah and MPs, stated that the proposed legislation “raises serious concerns about constitutional balance, civil society freedom, and the future of charitable service in India… [and] may result in undue interference in the internal management and service mission of [charitable] organisations.”
It added: “The proposed changes risk undermining these efforts and disrupting essential services to vulnerable populations.”
In India, Christian institutions serve the wider community, with Christian schools providing education for around 10 percent of all students, many from vulnerable families.
The Catholic Health Association of India serves around 21 million of India’s poorest people every year.
Cardinal Poola encouraged the Church to continue its work: “As responsible citizens, let us continue to work for peace, justice, harmony and the common good of our nation.”
With thanks to Filipe d’Avillez
