The National Day of Prayer on Sunday 28 June 2026 is currently being prepared by Christians all over India due to their growing concern over proposed legislation that could have a negative impact on the Church’s mission. The Church’s vast charitable work in India could be placed at serious risk if lawmakers successfully tighten the already restrictive laws regulating the foreign funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Specifically, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill 2026 is set to be discussed during the next session of the federal parliament.
Legal background and the purpose of the National Day of Prayer
This proposed bill includes changes to the original FCRA, which was initially enacted in 1976 amid political concerns that foreign agencies were sending money into India to subvert the “national interest”. In 2020, the law was made significantly more restrictive by the Indian Government, as the criteria for rejecting the registration of NGOs were broadened to explicitly include “anti-developmental activities”, “inciting malicious protests”, and “forceful religious conversions”. Since the introduction of these 2020 changes, the law has been actively used to cancel the registration, or deny the renewal of registrations, to thousands of humanitarian NGOs.
The proposed amendment would not only further tighten the criteria for operating NGOs, but would also allow the state to directly seize the funds and assets of organizations that are dissolved. Furthermore, it could even be applied retroactively, meaning that private institutions such as schools, hospitals, clinics, or others built with foreign funding over decades might be handed over to a new “designated authority” created by the central government, which would, de facto, mean that they would be entirely confiscated. Considering the massive scope of Christian charitable work in India, local Churches are deeply concerned that the new law will make their charitable work even more difficult.
Large-scale scope of Christian ministries at risk
In India, Christian institutions serve a far larger proportion of the population than the actual size of the Christian community itself would suggest. For example, Christian schools provide high-quality education to around 10% of all Indian students, many of whom come from vulnerable families. Work in the field of healthcare is equally significant across the territory; the Catholic Health Association of India, for example, serves around 21 million of India’s poorest and most marginalized people every year.
Therefore, and according to a formal letter released by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the new bill has raised intense institutional concerns:
“has raised concerns regarding its possible implications for the charitable, educational, healthcare, and social ministries carried out by Churches and Christian institutions across our country. The Church in India has consistently served society, particularly the poor and the marginalized, as an expression of the Gospel values of love, justice, and compassion”.
The circular, officially signed by CBCI president Cardinal Anthony Poola, calls on all Catholics to join with other Christian denominations in praying for a just legislative outcome:
“I therefore request that Sunday, 28 June 2026, be observed throughout the Catholic Church in India as a National Day of Prayer. During the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, special intentions may be offered for our nation, for those entrusted with public responsibility, and for the freedom of the Church to carry out her mission of service. Where appropriate, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, prayer services, and voluntary fasting may also be organized. Parishes and institutions may also consider organizing ecumenical prayer gatherings in collaboration with other Christian communities”.
“As responsible citizens, let us continue to work for peace, justice, harmony, and the common good of our nation,” the statement reads, while encouraging local communities to write directly to their elected representatives, expressing their concern over the potential negative impact of the proposed amendments. For its part, ACN calls on all its friends and benefactors to remember Indian Christians in their prayers over the coming weeks, especially during this designated day of prayer, so that any upcoming legislative reforms may protect the fundamental freedom of the Church to continue its service to the poor and the marginalised.
