Catholic nuns in India were arrested on allegations of human trafficking and forced conversion. The nuns were subsequently released. The details of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the arrest and release are not fully provided in the headline.
4 months ago
Two Catholic nuns, Sister Preethi and Sister Vandana of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate congregation, were arrested on July 25, 2025, at Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh, India 1. They faced allegations of human trafficking and forced conversion 1. After spending over 10 days in prison, the sisters were released on bail on August 2, 2025 1.
The nuns were accompanying three young women, aged 19 to 22, and a young tribal man from Narayanpur to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where the women intended to work 1. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) stated that the parents of each woman, who were all over 18, had provided written consent letters 1. Sister M. Nirmalini of the Conference of Religious India described the charges as "shocking and sad," noting they were made without verifying facts 1.
The CBCI welcomed the grant of bail with relief, expressing hope for the Christian community in India 1. They also thanked the government for its support and urged renewed efforts to protect the rights and dignity of religious minorities 1. Earlier, the CBCI had voiced "outrage and deep concern" over the arrests, reporting that the nuns had been subjected to harassment, false accusations, and physical assault 1. The incident was deemed a "grave violation" of India's constitution 1.
The arrest process was reportedly delayed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to widespread protests across the country 1. This incident highlights increasing intimidation against members of religious communities in India 1. Some Catholic congregations are now advising their members not to wear their habits in public to avoid harassment 1.
What is the Church's stance on religious freedom?
The Catholic Church upholds religious freedom as a fundamental human right, rooted in the dignity of the human person. This right means that all individuals should be immune from coercion by individuals, social groups, or any human power, in such a way that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to their own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, alone or in association with others, within due limits.
The Church's teaching on religious freedom is primarily articulated in the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae. This document emphasizes several key points:
Religious freedom encompasses various aspects of religious life:
While religious freedom is a fundamental right, it is not absolute. The exercise of this freedom is subject to certain just limits, which are necessary for the common good. These limits include:
The role of government concerning religious freedom is to protect and promote this right for all citizens. Governments should not impose a religion on their citizens, nor should they hinder the free exercise of religion, provided that public order is maintained. The Church teaches that if, in view of peculiar circumstances obtaining among certain peoples, special legal recognition is given in the constitutional order of society to one religious community, it is at the same time imperative that the right of all citizens and religious communities to religious freedom should be recognized and made effective in practice.
In summary, the Catholic Church views religious freedom as an inherent right of every person, stemming from their rational and free nature, and essential for their pursuit of truth and fulfillment of their moral obligations, always within the necessary bounds of public order.