Vatican officials’ concern over India charity work seen as cover for proselytism

(April 16, 2012) Top Vatican officials on Friday voiced concerns over threats to the Church’s charitable work in India, where it is often accused of being a cover for proselytism. Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council “Cor Unum,” which oversees the Church’s charitable activities, said the situation for Catholic aid workers in some Indian regions was “delicate.” He said Indian bishops had complained that it wasn’t easy to work in a way that would not be interpreted as proselytism. He noted that some states have approved anti-conversion laws that punish Catholics accusing them of using aid work to proselytize. Cardinal Sarah expressed surprise that Mother Teresa was always able to work without any difficulties. Michel Roy, secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis, a Vatican umbrella organization for Catholic charities around the world, said that in India people in power at various levels are afraid of Christian values. He said that charity makes people equal and this is disturbing for the caste system in Indian society. “It is not taken easily when low caste people wake up,” he added. Roy and Cardinal Sarah were speaking at a joint press conference to present a new book published by “Cor Unum” on Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with European volunteers last November