Friday, February 17, 2017

INDIA - The demand for Christian literature increases

There is demand for Christian literature in India and the market is expanding: says to Fides, Fr. Saju Chackalackal, Carmelite of Mary Immaculate (CMI) and director for the evangelization and pastoral care of his congregation.

"Many, both educated people, and the people of villages and cities, express their desire to obtain and own a copy of the Bible and in particular the New Testament. There is a widespread desire to have access to Christian literature that helps the faithful to have a clear and thorough idea about the contents of faith of Christianity and the Catholic Church in particular", notes Fr. Chackalackal.

The priest reported that Carmelite missionaries and other congregations require Bibles and Christian literature to give to people, Christian and non-Christian, who sincerely seek to know more about Jesus Christ, he said.


"Given the increasing number of requests, the funds at the disposal of our department of evangelization and pastoral care are insufficient, especially if we think of the missions of North India", remarks Fr. Saju.


"Bibles in English or in local languages are needed and this, according to our missionaries, opens a very significant opportunity for the Christian community: one must satisfy a thirst for knowledge about Jesus Christ", the priest told Fides.


The CMI is a male religious institution, born in the Syro-Malabar Church. It is the first Catholic religious congregation founded in India. Today missionaries work in Asia, Brazil, North America, South Africa, Kenya and Europe.