LOYALTY OF CATHOLICS DEFENDED

Anti-missionary statement attacks all Christians
CHARGE OF 'SPYING' MADE IN CEYLON
THE Indian Bishops' Conference, headed by Cardinal Gracias,
and a spokesman for the Archbishop of Colombo in Ceylon have in the past few days issued solemn protests against severe attacks upon the Church, particularly allegations of disloyalty among Catholic leaders and laity.
In India the protest is against the anti-missionary report of the State of Madyha Pradesh which, the Hierarchy say, " seeks to impugn not merely the loyalty of missionaries but that of the whole Catholic community."
In Ceylon the spokesman of Archbishop Cooray describes as "completely untrue" allegations by a Buddhist leader that Church authorities there are engaged in "spying" for the Vatican.
The Madhya Pradesh report held ghat Christian missionary activity "appears to be part of a uniform world policy to revive Christendom for re-establishing Western supremacy, and is not prompted by spiritual Motives."
It has drawn protests from all sections of India's Christian community, which numbers about 8,200,000 in the total population of 377 million.
The statement of the Indian Catholic Bishops' Conference says that the report " seeks to make out a case not merely against a few foreign missionaires but against the Catholic Church.
"For this uncalled-for reflection on the loyalty of the largest Christian denomination in the country, the inquiry committee must bear full responsibilities.
A WEDGE
" In its condemnation of proselytisation, which it views as an incubus and a plague. the committee shut its eyes to the fact that the India of the past and present glories in its great religious and cultural missions to the East. North and even West.
"If the committee wanted to place a wedge between the Christians and the rest of India at a time when unity is a pressing need, it could not have chosen a more effectual means than the report.
"We dread the contemplated blows to India's prestige abroad that the report must administer.
"It is regrettable that our protests on the composition and terms of reference of the questionaire (prepared by) the committee were ignored by the Madhya Pradesh Government. In the published report, our worst apprehensions were realised.
"The committee dismissed the grievances of Christians as not established. and turned the tables against the Christians.
NO MA NDA TE
Instead of confirming the inquiry evidence that was presented, the committee thought fit to indulge in dissertations upon questions of religious liberty and the policies of the Christian denominations in the wide world drawing evidence from writers who have no mandate to speak for authentic Christian activity. and citing quotations from declared enemies of Christianity.
"It is extremely difficult to believe that the committee set out to make an impartial inquiry ...
" Does the committee honestly believe that a handful of missionaries dedicated to religious and charitable work set afoot a political movement for the dismemberment of the country ? Or is it the committee's contention that ever Indian Catholic is ipso facto a potential traitor to the country ?
" When national leaders have declared on several occasions that Christianity is an old and honoured religion in the land, and the Christian community and culture an integral part of the Indian heritage, it ill becomes the committee to suggest measures to restrict the religious fredom our Constitution guarantees.
WE APPEAL "We appeal to the national leaders to neutralise the havoc wrought by the report and to allay effectively the fears and anxieties of Christians.
" We have abiding faith in the fairness and impartiality of our national leaders."
In Ceylon, Mr. Mettananda. a noted Buddhist leader. has been leading a violent campaign against Catholics.
11e has accused the Hierarchy and Catholic public officials in Ceylon of acting as " key men " in what he described as the Vatican's intelligence service in this country.
He has charged that Catholics were sending " vital information" to the Vatican through the agency of the Bishops of Ceylon.
The Buddhist leader has par
ticularly criticised Hungarian Catholic nuns working in Colombo and its suburbs for "using their influence on the people."
He has expressed concern over the " possibility " of Ceylon's having a Catholic Prime Minister who would ride roughshod over the Buddhist majority.
The Chancellor of the Columba archdiocese. Fr. Nereus Fernando. in an official statement for the Aiehhishop, calls on Mr. Mettananda to prove his assertions with facts instead of resorting to con
jecture, and.urges him to stop his "campaign of mudslinging."
The archdiocesan paper The Me).‘enger, criticises what it calls the "deliberate campaign of prejudice" directed against Catholics in Ceylon.
It stresses that Ceylon Catholics have shown the utmost loyalty to the country. It condemns fomentors of trouble for seeking to deprive Catholics of credit for their services to the country.
The Messenger also warns against attempts to convert the country's freedom into a scourge for some and a means of unrestricted license for others."
7 he Messenger's comments underline the growing anxiety of Catholics in Ceylon over what they regard as signs of religious intolerance.
Buddhist leaders have questioned well-established Catholic rights. including the right to run schools and to establish churches in places of Catholic choice.