Scottish Catholic Observer

Although there are only 17 million Catholics among India’s 1.2 billion people, the impact of the Church is far greater than this number would suggest.

Both in the northern state of Jarkland, where I was visiting very poor tribal farmers helped by SCIAF, and in the southern city of Bangalore, where I have been seeing the work SCIAF is funding to help disabled people, I keep seeing signs of the Church’s activity. There is no doubt that India’s Catholics are profoundly motivated by their Faith.

Attending Mass in the northern city of Ranchi on Sunday at 7.30am I was surprised to be met by a crowd of people, streaming in the other direction.

They were leaving Mass having attending the 5.30am service. Few parishes in Scotland could be sure of such an attendance for a service held at that time.

Within the church, St Joesph’s, though some of the congregation may have been a little tardy, the fervour of their belief was clear to see.

Travelling through villages and towns one can clearly spot the houses of Catholics and other Christians because of the cross that adorn the outer walls. They are clearly unwilling to hide the light of their Faith.

And the positive impact of a Catholic education is well known. One young mother, who was not Christian, in remote tribal village in Jarkland, told me her great hope for her two children was that they attend a Catholic school, because she knew that there they would receive a far better education than in a government run school.

Catholic run health care services also have an excellent reputation. In Bangalore, where I am now, many of the disabled people who have helped by SCIAF’s partner, the charity APD, have told me they have received vital medical care form Catholic run hospitals.

Such facilities make up 22 per cent of all medical centres in India.

But it is also clear that Catholicism is part of the very fabric of India. Visiting a slum in Bangalore yesterday I was struck by a huge poster of Our Lady, which bore the legend Ave Maria.

Before I came here I would have assumed such a sight would be incongruous, but knowing what I now do about the Church’s work here, it seemed just right.