Posted on 06/14/2004 10:54:40 AM PDT by Land of the Irish
ROME, Italy, Jun. 14 (CNA) - The Vatican news agency Fides is reporting the concern of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka for a new effort by nine Buddhist monks who are members of the national Parliament and are seeking to pass an “anti-conversion” law that would punish those who leave Buddhism to embrace other faiths such as Christianity.
Fides reported that “the fears expressed in the past by the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka have been confirmed: the Buddhist clergy—which formed a political party during general elections in April—has presented a bill to the legislative Assembly that would impose severe punishment and imprisonment on those who commit the crime of ‘unethical conversions’.”
The text of the measure “has provoked surprise and worry in Catholic circles, because in recent days the bishops, through personal contacts and meetings, have tried to explain the reasons for the opposition of the Church to such a measure.”
According to Fides, the nine Buddhist monks “are an expression of the most extreme groups that are motivated by a fundamentalist nationalism which seeks to preserve the Buddhist identity of the country.”
Fides warned that the draft of the bill “openly declares the will to defend Buddhism as the dominant religion in Sri Lanka and to resist conversions obtained by fraudulent means (persuasion with money, social assistance, benefits of all type).”
A Catholic source quoted by Fides, denounced that “the Buddhist monks have reacted against the proselytizing actions carried out by some Protestant sects, but the Catholic community as well would suffer the consequences if this law were approved. Many charitable or missionary works could be in serious danger.”
The law foresees penalties of up to seven years of imprisonment for those who promote conversions.
According to the bishops of Sri Lanka, “this law will do nothing more than polarize society in a religious sense” and “will increase hatred among different religious groups.”
The bishops have called for the establishing of a joint commission, with representatives from the government and different religions, to address the problem of sects case by case.
The Sri Lanka constitution currently grants Buddhism—which represents 65% of the population—a preeminent position among the religions of the country, but guarantees the members of other confessions the right to freely practice their faith. Hindus represent 15% of the population, while Christians and Muslims represent about 9%.
Ping
The Vatican should let the Sri Lanka Parliament know that it has no intention of trying to convert the Buddhists - only to help them "teach a way by which men, in a devout and confident spirit, may be able either to acquire the state of perfect liberation, or attain, by their own efforts or through higher help, supreme illumination."
ping
This has nothing to do with "ecumenism". This and similar laws in India are simply denials of human rights and freedom of religion by Hindu and Buddhist religious chauvinists. So long as there is no coercion, no one can or should be prevented from choosing to following the truth that is the Catholic faith. No Catholic, including the Pope and the bishops of South Asia, would agree to or suport this kind of law. Thus it has nothing to do whatsoever with "ecumenism".
I think the implication may have been that there are no "sweet fruits of false ecumenism".
The pope and bishops continue to compromise the Catholic faith and "stress the things we share with people of other faith traditions", as well as hand our churches over for pagans to worship demons, etc, and stories like this one show exactly how far all of this nonsense has gotten these people.
Are they now, after 40 years of this madness, convinced of their need to convert to Catholicism? I think not, and such reports highlight the fact that the world is becoming more convinced in its error rather than the opposite.
At least the Buddhists have the guts to pass such laws. Could you imaging any US "Catholic" bishop having the courage to stand up for his religion?
We have a wonderful priest in our diocese visiting from Sri Lanka. He is very devout.
The Buddhists have a reputation which is not entirely accurate. They can be violent and punitive, not the peaceful, passive souls of legend.
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