Historic alliance of Indian churches formed to confront pressure and persecution of Christians
In a rare and historic move, prominent church leaders in India have launched the National Federation of Churches in India, aiming to create a united front against increasing pressure, violence and legal restrictions against Christians. The newly formed body, which brings together representatives of various Christian denominations from Catholic to Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal, comes amid reports of a sharp increase in attacks on Christians in recent years and church leaders warning that religious freedom in the world’s largest democracy is facing a serious threat.
Indian church leaders formally launched the National Union of Churches in India on May 8 during the fourth National Bishops’ Conference in Bangalore, which organizers said was the first comprehensive, nationwide structure to unite all major branches of Christianity in the country. The conference was attended by about 45 bishops, church leaders and representatives of various Christian denominations.
The union is headed by Cardinal Anthony Paula, a prominent figure in the Indian Catholic Church in recent years. Archbishop Joseph D'Souza, head of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Church and the All India Council of Christians, is also a key figure in the new initiative.
Archbishop D'Souza said about the purpose of forming the union: "This union is the first global assembly of its kind in India, formed to specifically combat the persecution of Christians."
Church leaders have cited the rise in violent attacks on priests, arrests and pressure on Christians under anti-conversion laws, and concerns about government interference in the management of church property and donations as key reasons for forming the body. They are particularly concerned about proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which critics say could impose greater control over the finances and assets of Christian organizations.
According to reports published by Christian organizations and religious freedom advocates, the trend of violence against Christians in India has increased significantly over the past decade. The United Christian Association of India announced that recorded cases of violence against Christians increased from 127 in 2014 to 834 in 2024. In the first four months of 2025 alone, at least 245 attacks and violence against Christians were reported, a statistic that the organization said means an average of “two attacks a day” against India’s Christian community.
There have also been isolated reports of attacks on religious services, beatings of priests, destruction of churches and even the prevention of Christian burials in some states. The states of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are among the areas where the most cases of violence have been recorded.
Meanwhile, Indian churches have launched a new legal battle against anti-conversion laws, with some Christian groups taking cases to India's Supreme Court, arguing that the laws have become a tool for pressure, detention and intimidation among religious minorities.
India is a Hindu-majority country of more than 1.4 billion people, with Christians making up about 2.3 percent of the population. However, church leaders warn that the social and political climate against religious minorities has become harsher in recent years.
"We cannot just sit and pray," Archbishop D'Souza emphasized in remarks that were widely covered in Christian media.
