Conversion by force not recognised by church: Pune Bishop

The newly appointed head of Poona diocese, Bishop Thomas Dabre, said Christianity doesn't approve conversion by force and is also not recognised by the church.

"One of the many things that Christianity preaches is the fact that one cannot be forced to become a Christian by any means.In case if there is any person who has converted from any other religion to Christianity and claims that he or she has been forced to do so the church is always ready to let them go back to their own religion," said Dabre who will be formally installed as the new Bishop of Pune on June 7.

Says the 63-year-old Bishop, it is the fundamental right of any individual to choose or practise the religion he wants. Converting by force is against his/her will and church reprobates this, he added.

He also pointed that the number of priests in the country has declined and presently there were about 25,000 priests and 95,000 nuns nationwide.

After taking charge over the diocese, Bishop Dabre says, he will work with the youth of the city. "I wish to work with them so that Pune retains its old-world charm even in these days of globalisation."

Furthermore, Bishop Dabre who succeeds Bishop Valerian D'souza, urged all Christians in the country make it a point to vote. "And they should vote for people who are concerned about the progress of people of all religions and who will uphold our Constitution's secular fabric," he said.

The Poona diocese covers Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangli, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg cities