Religion News Service
NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 3, 2003: The report by Religion News Service says, in part, “John Paul told Roman Catholic bishops from India making their periodic visit to the Vatican to reject divisions based on caste. ‘At all times, you must continue to make certain that special attention is given to those belonging to the lowest castes, especially the Dalits,’ he exhorted the bishops. Dalits are Hindus at the bottom of the Indian caste structure. ‘Customs that reinforce caste division should be sensitively reformed so they may become an expression of the solidarity of the whole Christian community,’ John Paul said.
“Said the Rev. Dr. Ipe Joseph, general secretary of National Council of Churches in India. ‘Many church leaders are not actively fighting this caste system.’ The bishops conference has acknowledged caste-based practices are still found in the church. Of the 164 bishops in India, only seven are Dalits. In some regions segregation is still practiced in worship.
HPI adds: Catholic Dalits continue to suffer the same discrimination after their conversion. There are separate churches for the Dalit Catholics and brahmin Catholics, as well as separate burial grounds.