Syro-Malabar synod begins

The five-day synod of the Syro-Malabar Church, which got under way here on Monday, said the Church did not practice and would not be a party to forced religious conversions. The synod expressed concern at the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

Syro-Malabar Church official spokesperson Fr. Paul Thelekkatt said in a statement here on Tuesday that India offered freedom to individuals to believe in any religion and propagate it. The Constitution ensured such freedom. At the same time, it was painful that people wielding political power made “irresponsible” statements in public, the statement said. The synod expressed the desire of the Syro-Malabar Church to imbibe the spirit of local traditions.