Protestant and Catholic schools to come under forum

Catholic and Protestant churches in India are contemplating the need for an umbrella organisation to defend its numerous educational institutions scattered across the country.

In the wake of sectarian and religious violence, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), have agreed to unite under one forum through which it can voice its concerns and resolve disputes connected with its institutions.

According to Bishop Taranath Sagar, President of NCCI, the need for such a forum has come up due to the spate of attacks against Christians and their institutions in Orissa and Mangalore in 2008.

Such a forum, he said, would help church resolve issues concerning its educational institutions.

There are over 5,000 educational institutions run by both Catholics and Protestants in India.

The ever-increasing violence and role of vested interests no doubt have placed the church now in an eerie situation. Sagar, representing the Protestant churches in India, says the time is ripe and such a body is crucial to safeguard its institutions.

According to CBCI spokesperson in Delhi, Fr Babu Joseph, the forum would soon go public and aid its institutions in different parts of the country.

"With the panel, we will get an outlet to discuss the policy issues with the Central government along with a platform where we can discuss and point out our organization's problems in different states," he said

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India - the highest body of Catholic Bishops - runs the majority of Christian schools in the country.