It doesnt make sense. Why on earth would the Catholic church target the PM? It can only help BJP by consolidating Hindu vote behind them. Increase Hindu turnout.
There are 2 possible reasons:
1. Church is in cahoots with BJP (Impossible)
2. Church is hurting
But the curtailed conversion agenda cannot alone explain the shear aggression and desperation exhibited by the Church.
There's another reason for this last ditch effort to galvanize the Christian community.
It is this: PM's development agenda is providing the basic necessities to India's poor, reducing their dependence on non-state actors such as the conversion NGOs supported by the Church.
Another 5 years of a Modi Govt. will not only destroy the conversion thrust but rob the church of fresh recruits.
Given that most neo convert come from the ranks of the poorest of the poor, this market will likely disappear by 2024.
Though China is seeing a rapid growth in Christians after experiencing economic growth, India is different. Under Communism, Chinese were left with a spiritual vacuum. One that attracted Christianity as a natural occupant.
With its 10,000 year old spiritual tradition, India has no such handicap. Even the most downtrodden Hindus will remain within their religion if their basic needs are met.
It is this dual threat that has made the Church hit the panic button.
The Cardinal's letter is only the first salvo in a battle that has just begun. International spotlight is just round the corner. Surely the strategy was devised well in advance. The Church is both ruthless and extraordinarily intelligent not to enter this battle with a well devised plan to stop the NaMo juggernaut.
There are 2 possible reasons:
1. Church is in cahoots with BJP (Impossible)
2. Church is hurting
But the curtailed conversion agenda cannot alone explain the shear aggression and desperation exhibited by the Church.
There's another reason for this last ditch effort to galvanize the Christian community.
It is this: PM's development agenda is providing the basic necessities to India's poor, reducing their dependence on non-state actors such as the conversion NGOs supported by the Church.
Another 5 years of a Modi Govt. will not only destroy the conversion thrust but rob the church of fresh recruits.
Given that most neo convert come from the ranks of the poorest of the poor, this market will likely disappear by 2024.
Though China is seeing a rapid growth in Christians after experiencing economic growth, India is different. Under Communism, Chinese were left with a spiritual vacuum. One that attracted Christianity as a natural occupant.
With its 10,000 year old spiritual tradition, India has no such handicap. Even the most downtrodden Hindus will remain within their religion if their basic needs are met.
It is this dual threat that has made the Church hit the panic button.
The Cardinal's letter is only the first salvo in a battle that has just begun. International spotlight is just round the corner. Surely the strategy was devised well in advance. The Church is both ruthless and extraordinarily intelligent not to enter this battle with a well devised plan to stop the NaMo juggernaut.
