During the period under examination, attacks on Christians were reported in 24 of India’s 29 states. According to one calculation, there were 440 anti-Christian incidents in 2017, 477 in 2018 and 117 in the first quarter of 2019.(1) Attacks include the killing of converts(2) and sexual violence, such as the gang-rape of five women working for a Christian NGO in Jharkhand.(3) More than 100 churches closed in 2018, because of extremist attacks or intervention by authorities.(4) According to one study, not only has communal violence remained high, but the failure of authorities to address attacks on religious minorities has engendered a climate of impunity.(5) “[G]roups and organisations wishing to promote cultural and religious nationalism are becoming bolder,” said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas of the Indian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.(6) Census data showing the number of Hindus has fallen below 80 percent sparked concern among nationalists who believe forced conversions are changing society. During May 2018 elections in Karnataka, a fake letter from Archbishop Machado of Bangalore circulated, claiming the Catholic Church was planning to proselytise the Lingayat Hindu community.(7) Nine of India’s 29 states have laws “restricting religious conversions”.(8)
PHILIPPINES
The killing of 22 Sunday Massgoers and the maiming
