Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad, the first Dalit cardinal in India, was elected as the next president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). Poola's election marks a significant milestone for the conference and for India, as Dalits belong to the lowest stratum of traditional Indian society and have historically faced systematic exploitation. Poola is also the first Telugu-speaking cardinal, representing a language spoken by nearly 100 million people in southeastern India. The election is viewed as a prophetic message from the hierarchy affirming that Dalits and Tribals can hold leadership positions at all levels within the Church.
24 days ago
Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad, was elected president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on February 7, 2026, during the 37th General Body Meeting in Bengaluru (Feb. 4-10).1 2 3
This marks the first time a Dalit—historically marginalized as "untouchables"—has led the CBCI, uniting India's Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara rites.1 3 5
Poola, created India's first Dalit cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, embodies progress amid persistent caste discrimination.1 2 3
Nearly two-thirds of India's 19-23 million Catholics are Dalits, yet they represent only 4-6% of priests, religious, and bishops.3
Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak hailed the secret-ballot election as a "prophetic message" affirming Dalit leadership potential.2 3 5
Born in 1961 to a Catholic father and Hindu mother, the 64-year-old Poola is also the first Telugu-speaking cardinal.2 3 5
In his message, he pledged service through listening, prayer, and discernment to foster Church unity, Christian solidarity, and national reconciliation amid "division, violence, and social tensions."1 2 6
The CBCI demanded repeal of state anti-conversion laws, which criminalize alleged forced conversions and lead to false arrests of Christians.1 4 6
Bishops cited violations of Article 25's religious freedom guarantees, blaming Hindu nationalist vigilantes for attacks on prayer meetings.1 4
Dalit Christians are denied Scheduled Caste benefits like education quotas, unlike Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist Dalits.1 4 6
Outgoing president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath urged PM Narendra Modi to curb "fringe group" attacks on minorities.1 4
Activist John Dayal stressed bishops' role in advocating religious freedom amid rising anti-Christian violence.1
Archbishop Anil Couto (Delhi) was elected secretary-general; vice presidents are Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos (Tiruvalla, Syro-Malankara) and Archbishop Mathew Moolakkatt (Kottayam, Syro-Malabar).1 3 4
The meeting's theme, "Faith and the Nation," reaffirmed constitutional values of justice and pluralism.2 5
A new Konkani Roman Missal in dual scripts was presented, promoting liturgical inculturation for over 2 million speakers.5
The CBCI, founded in 1944, represents 2.3% of India's 1.4 billion population.1 6
Investigate Catholic Church’s stance on caste equality and conversion laws
The Catholic Church unequivocally condemns caste-based discrimination as a grave injustice that violates the fundamental equality of all human persons created in God's image, calling for active solidarity especially with the marginalized like Dalits. Simultaneously, the Church opposes anti-conversion laws, viewing them as unjust restrictions on religious freedom that hinder evangelization and the natural right to follow one's conscience. These positions, rooted in Scripture and Tradition, emphasize fraternity, the common good, and the Gospel's call to unity beyond social divisions.
The Church teaches that every form of discrimination, including caste, undermines the dignity conferred by creation in God's image (Gen 1:27) and redemption through Christ, who makes all "one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). Pope John Paul II explicitly addressed caste divisions in India, describing them as an "unjust system" that denies human dignity to entire groups, exacerbated by ignorance, prejudice, and class struggle. He urged bishops to replace these with tolerance, brotherhood, and service, commending initiatives like those of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council while insisting on special attention to Dalits, who must never be segregated. Any caste-based prejudice among Christians is a "countersign to authentic human solidarity," threatening evangelization and echoing St. Paul's words: "if one member suffers, all suffer together" (1 Cor 12:26).
This stance frames discrimination as a "structure of sin" rooted in personal sins, requiring conversion and a "new heart" through the Eucharist, where differences in caste, race, and status are transcended in oneness. In Ecclesia in Asia, Pope John Paul II highlighted how countless Asians suffer discrimination due to caste, color, race, or economic status, including converts to Christianity, calling the Church to preferential love for the poor, migrants, indigenous peoples, and tribal groups often at the lowest rungs. The Synod Fathers appealed for recognition of basic human rights, including freedom of conscience and religion.
Pope John Paul II reiterated that customs perpetuating caste must be "sensitively reformed" to express Christian solidarity, positioning the Church as a force to change hearts and recognize every person as a child of God. This aligns with broader teachings on the common good, where unjust discrimination must be overcome through families, communities, and government working together with respect for moral convictions.
The Church defends the right to religious freedom as essential to democracy and human dignity, rooted in the "most private and sovereign interior freedom." Pope John Paul II criticized Indian anti-conversion laws passed under pressure from Hindu fundamentalists, which prohibit free exercise of religion or withdraw support from scheduled castes converting to Christianity. These laws exacerbate animosity, discrimination, and violence against those of certain faiths or tribal affiliations, yet the Church must persist in evangelization, engaging in interreligious dialogue and advocating for human rights.
Pope Francis has echoed this, noting how minority religious communities face extinction risks from terrorism, cultural attacks, and "subtle measures" like anti-conversion laws, manipulated electoral rules, and financial restrictions—often enabled by centralized control over religion via technology. Such laws contradict the path to peace through dialogue and protection of religious liberty.
Historically, the Church has opposed state interference in conversions, as seen in the Catholic Encyclopedia's overview: while some nations once imposed ages or penalties for conversions, modern liberty of conscience prevails in places like the U.S., Britain, and Germany, fostering more conversions without civil disabilities. Vix Dum A Nobis by Pope Pius IX condemned civil usurpation of Church authority, affirming Catholics' duty to follow Church doctrine without impediment.
Caste equality and opposition to conversion laws intersect in the Church's mission. Discrimination hinders evangelization, while anti-conversion laws stem from suspicion fueled by fundamentalism. The Church calls for dialogue with other religions and authorities to promote mutual understanding and rights, imitating St. Francis Xavier's courageous proclamation amid hostility. Pope Francis urges serving the marginalized—lepers in body or soul facing discrimination—as the Gospel's credibility is at stake there. Recent messages, like to Hindus on Deepavali, promote harmony amid diversity by rejecting ideologies of exclusion, racism, and hyper-nationalism that destroy fraternity.
In political life, Catholics must address these issues per Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, pursuing peace, human rights, and ending persecution of religious minorities.
The Catholic Church's stance is clear and consistent: caste discrimination is an affront to human dignity and Gospel unity, demanding reform and solidarity; conversion laws unjustly stifle religious freedom and evangelization. Grounded in papal teachings from John Paul II to Francis, this upholds the preferential option for the poor, interreligious harmony, and the common good. Catholics are called to witness through service, dialogue, and advocacy, fostering societies where all are brothers and sisters in Christ.