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The Catholic leadership in Maharashtra has issued a sharp public rebuke of the newly enacted Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, arguing the law, as written, weakens the very protections it claims to uphold. In a statement released on Thursday, bishops from the Western Region Bishops’ Council demanded the measure be withdrawn or significantly rewritten to avoid curbing constitutionally guaranteed religious choice.
The council said the law threatens individuals’ right to adopt or change their faith and warned of legal and social consequences if it remains unchanged. Their statement framed the issue not as a theological dispute but as a matter of civil liberties and constitutional integrity.
What the bishops are asking for
Signatories called for immediate action from state lawmakers: either repeal the Act or undertake a substantial revision to remove provisions they view as intrusive. They criticized provisions they believe create obstacles for people exercising personal religious choice and cautioned that the legislation could be interpreted in ways that restrict legitimate religious activity.
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- Elias Gonsalves, Archbishop of Nagpur
- John Rodrigues, Archbishop of Bombay
- Sebastian, Archeparchy of Kalyan
- Thomas D’sousa, Bishop of Vasai
- Lancy Pinto, Bishop of Aurangabad
- Simon Almeida, Bishop of Pune
- Ephrem Nariculam, Eparchy of Chanda
- Malcolm Sequeira, Bishop of Amravati
- Matthews Mar Pochomio, Eparchy of Khadki
- Agnelo Pinheiro, Diocese of Sindhudurg
- Auxiliary bishops: Savio Fernandes, Stephen Fernandes and Allwyn D’souza (Mumbai)
The statement emphasized that freedom of religion is a fundamental right, not a privilege that can be regulated away. Church leaders said they fear the law’s language could be used to criminalize routine pastoral activities, outreach and personal conversions, though they stopped short of listing specific clauses.
Why this matters now
With the Act freshly approved by the state assembly, immediate consequences are possible: the Catholic council’s public opposition raises the probability of legal challenges, heightens tensions between religious communities, and places pressure on state officials to clarify enforcement guidelines.
| Council demand | Reason given |
|---|---|
| Withdraw the Act | Belief that current provisions infringe on the constitutional right to choose and practice religion |
| Substantial revision | Remove ambiguities that could limit legitimate religious expression and pastoral work |
State officials have not yet published a detailed rebuttal to the bishops’ statement. Observers say the coming days could see formal complaints in court or requests for dialogue between church leaders and the government. Legal experts note that any challenge will likely focus on constitutional protections and the interpretation of enforcement mechanisms within the law.
The reaction from the Western Region Bishops’ Council adds a prominent voice to a broader public debate about laws governing religious conversion and activity across several states. For congregations and faith-based service providers in Maharashtra, the dispute raises immediate questions about how religious programs will be implemented under the new rules.
For now, the bishops’ public protest makes clear that a major religious institution in the state views the legislation as a live constitutional concern — and that the political and legal fallout is only beginning to unfold.
