Number of foreign missioners in India increased in 1967

Media

Part of Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas

Title
Number of foreign missioners in India increased in 1967
Language
English
Year
1969
Rights
In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Fulltext
“In this respect,” it says, “Peace Weeks and various ecumenical manifes­ tations, as well as participation in official national or other ceremonies can be considered and are ever desirable.” It adds that it was Pope Paul’s intention that the World Day of Peace be universal and “therefore offered for the consideration of all men of good will.” NUMBER OF FOREIGN M1SSI0NERS IN INDIA INCREASED IN 1967 The number of foreign missionaries in India increased sharply in a year marked by widespread anti-missionary developments, according to figures pro­ vided parliament by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. V. C. Shukla. He told parliament on November 30 that foreign missionaries numbered 6,420 on January 1, 1968, an increase of 1,400 ov.er January 1, 1967, or 28 per cent. Of the 6,420 in the country, 2,624 were from the British Com­ monwealth. The anti-missionary developments in the 1967-1968 period included a reported decision by the central government to discourage the entry of new missionaries and to force the exit of all in the country .except those regarded as essential, or irreplaceable by native clergy and Religious. The increase of missionaries in the year was attributed to a 140 per cent rise in number of Commonwealth missionaries who numbered 1,105 at the beginning of 1967. Mr. Shukla also told parliament that his government’s policy was one of “progressive Indianization” of foreign Christian missions in the country. Giving a partial state-by-state break-down^ he said there were seven foreign missionaries in Nagaland, 335 in Assam, 27 in Jammu and Kashmir. 519 in Bihar and 345 in Madhya Pradesh. (In December 1967 the ministry of external affairs told perliament that there were no foreign missionaries in Nagaland.) (Earlier, in March, parliament was told that there were four missionaries in the troubled border state.) Foreign missionaries received US $90 million from abroad during 196/. The money, he stated, included contributions to religious institutions, charity remittances from individuals and institutions and personal gifts.