Verghese V Joseph –
India’s absence from Pope Francis’s recent Asia-Pacific tour has left many Catholics feeling disappointed and reflects deeper issues within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and its relationship with the ruling government. As the pope embarks on a historic journey covering Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, the missed opportunity for India to host him highlights the waning influence of the church in the country’s political landscape.
Pope Francis’s 12-day trip is notable not only for its length but also for its focus on promoting inter-religious harmony, especially in a region where the Catholic Church is experiencing growth. The Asia-Pacific is one of the few areas where the Catholic population is increasing, making it a strategic focus for the pontiff.
This packed Asia trip is an ambitious one for the pope, whose ailing health has in recent years caused him to cut down on some of his public engagements. Francis, who lost part of his lung to an infection when he was younger, has in recent years undergone intestinal surgeries and suffered from mobility issues. Over the past year, he has battled bouts of bronchitis and influenza. Nevertheless, he is already planning his next trip—to Belgium and Luxembourg later this month.
The CBCI’s failure to secure a papal visit is particularly striking given India’s substantial Catholic population, estimated at over 20 million, which represents about 1.55% of the total population.
It is somewhat disappointing that even the Exposition of St. Francis Xavier’s body, scheduled for later this year in Goa, did not coincide with a papal visit. If the Holy Father could visit Goa, it would undoubtedly be a fantastic occasion, but it appears doubtful.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) could do well to reflect on why India was left out of Pope’s Asia-Pacific itinerary. The CBCI should use the lost chance to host Pope Francis as a wake-up call to step up its interactions with the Vatican and the ruling dispensation in India to make sure India is included in any future papal trips.
The positive impacts of such visits, as demonstrated by a study, underscore the importance of India’s Catholic community actively advocating for a papal visit to their country.
A recent study analyzing 283 visits by four popes, from Paul VI to Francis, has shown that papal trips can have profound impacts on host countries, including improvements in human rights protection, enhanced government image, and increased local tourism.
The study, carried out by researchers of the Free University of Brussels and the University of Hamburg, casts light on the profound impacts that papal trips can have on host countries. Far from being mere ceremonial acts, the Holy Father’s visits can spell significant improvements in the protection of human rights, benefit Governments’ image and even foster local tourism.
CBCI’s Challenges
The CBCI’s inability to persuade the Indian government to invite the pope underscores a broader trend of diminishing influence. The church has historically played a significant role in Indian politics, leveraging its extensive network of followers and social institutions. However, recent events, including a disastrous Christmas breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have exposed the church’s struggles to assert its position.
During the Christmas meeting, church leaders were criticized for appearing subservient to the Prime Minister, failing to address pressing concerns within the Christian community. This incident exemplified the CBCI’s weakened clout and its inability to engage effectively with the government.
The Manipur Crisis
The CBCI’s muted response to the ongoing violence against Christians in Manipur further illustrates its declining influence. Reports of churches being attacked and pastors assaulted have emerged, yet the church’s reaction has been largely ineffective. Many Christians feel abandoned by a leadership that has not mobilized public opinion or pressured the government to take action.
India’s absence from the pope’s itinerary can be attributed to several key factors, primarily influenced by the current political dynamics. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which emphasizes Hindu identity, has been cautious about inviting the pope, fearing that such a visit might provoke backlash from Hindu nationalist supporters. This political landscape complicates the CBCI’s efforts to engage with the government effectively.
Historically, papal visits to India have faced challenges. For instance, Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1999 was met with significant opposition from Hindu nationalists, who demanded concessions that he refused to make. This historical context creates apprehension within the current government regarding a papal visit.
The timing of papal visits is also influenced by political calendars. For example, when Pope Francis planned to visit South Asia in 2017, the Indian government did not formally invite him, likely due to the proximity of state elections. Such timing considerations can lead to the exclusion of India from the pope’s travel plans.
To regain its influence, the CBCI must adapt its strategies and engage with the government more assertively. Strengthening ties with the Christian community and ensuring their voices are heard is crucial. The church’s ability to navigate the complexities of Indian politics will depend on its willingness to embrace a more proactive and independent stance.
Research has shown that papal visits can have profound impacts on host countries, including improvements in human rights protection, enhanced government image, and increased local tourism. The CBCI must recognize the potential benefits of a papal visit and actively advocate for such an opportunity in the future.
Comparison to Other Countries
India has a significant Catholic population, with over 20 million Catholics representing around 1.55% of the total population of 1.3 billion. The Catholic Church is the single largest Christian church in India, with 10,701 parishes that make up 174 dioceses and eparchies, organized into 29 ecclesiastical provinces.
While India has a sizable Catholic population, it is still relatively small compared to the total population. In contrast, some of the countries Pope Francis has visited have much higher percentages of Catholics:
Philippines: The Catholic Church in the Philippines has the largest number of Catholics in Asia, with over 80% of the population identifying as Catholic.
Poland: Around 87% of the population identifies as Catholic.
Ireland: Around 78% of the population identifies as Catholic.
United States: Around 20% of the population identifies as Catholic.
However, India still has the second-largest Christian population in Asia after the Philippines. The Catholic population in India is larger than in many other countries Pope Francis has visited, such as:
Indonesia: About eight million Catholics make up just 3 percent of the population.
Myanmar: Only around 1.3% of the population identifies as Catholic.
Bangladesh: Only around 0.2% of the population identifies as Catholic.
Mongolia: Less than 1% of the population identifies as Catholic.
In 2015, Pope Francis made a three-day visit to Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka with the highlight of the visit being the canonization of Joseph Vaz, an Indian born 17th century Catholic missionary who spent most of his life in Sri Lanka to help Catholics persecuted by the island’s Dutch rulers at the time.
In 2019, Francis became the first pontiff to visit the Arabian Peninsula, where, together with the grand imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, he signed a historic interfaith document and pledged to work together to tackle extremism. In 2021, Francis met with Iraq’s top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and attended a gathering of religious leaders—a rare display of unity given the country’s long-standing divisions among religious and ethnic groups.
India’s missed opportunity to host Pope Francis during his recent Asia-Pacific tour reflects a complex interplay of political considerations, historical tensions, and the CBCI’s waning influence. As the Catholic community in India continues to express disappointment, the future of papal visits remains uncertain, contingent upon shifts in the political landscape and the willingness of the Indian government to engage with the Vatican.
The CBCI must take this moment as a wake-up call to strengthen its efforts in engaging with both the Vatican and the Indian government. Only by doing so can the Catholic Church in India hope to remain a relevant and influential force in the years to come.
I wish to congratulate the writer for this prophetic article. Indeed, every journalist has to exercise his/her prophetic mission. To me, a vast majority of CBCI and CCBI members live in their own “ivory towers” or “fools’ paradise”. Their major priorities are: “Hold on to the positions” and “safeguard the wealth and properties of the church”. These church bodies rarely exercise their prophetic mission of challenging the ruling government and becoming voice of the voiceless. Hence, I pray: “Father! Forgive them for they KNOW what they do.”