By Rose Maria (Achu)

Kochi, June 27, 2023: We hear a lot about Christians indulging in “forced conversion.”

Those who propagate that theory seem to say: “Let those who have seen or experienced wait, let those who have heard, speak.”

I have nothing to say to such people

Allow me to share how I became a Catholic at the age of 34. I was then Devi Menon who came from an orthodox Hindu family in Kerala’s Thrissur district. I have two masters in business administration and one masters in another subject. I have worked with many national and overseas firms.

It is not that I decided to be a Catholic on December 31, 2014, and became one the next day. Becoming a Christian was not even in my wildest dreams. I did not become a Christian because of coercion, enticement, appeasement, temptation, provocation, allurement or out of fear.

I had my personal reasons for becoming a Christian. It was the culmination of my search for meaning in life by reading the sacred scriptures of various religions, including the Bible. What drew me to Jesus was my reading about the Holy Eucharist — the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Communion.

No one can become a Catholic expecting some material gain, because no such option or offer exists in the Church.

What I have inherited is spiritual contentment. My Jesus is my gain.

I only know about the Catholic Church. It does not baptize right away anyone who wants to become a Catholic

The Church must be convinced that that desire is the need of the person’s soul. The Church must be convinced of the accuracy, reality, and divine intervention in the circumstances leading to such sentiments. The person should know the essentials of the religion, learn and practice them.

He or she must be clear about the faith. One can become a Christian only after passing many great hurdles. In other words, one must be convinced that the faith in Christ is the need of the soul more than that of the person.

Thousands of missionaries of the Church now work in remote areas of India and overseas, among those who do not know Jesus or follow human values.

The Church will gain nothing by converting the economically backward and culturally deficient people in those areas.

These missionaries serve in those places fully aware of the dangers to their lives. They proclaim the love of Jesus and impart virtues and values to them because the Church is the reflection of the unbiased love of Christ.

People accept Jesus attracted by his message and the lifestyle of his missionaries. They also realize that Jesus’s love recognizes them as humans and not treat them like animals as some in society do.

Many organizations propagate their religions and conduct conversions in India and abroad. But they do that not among the poor but the wealthy who live in a secure world.

They too should treat the poor as humans and serve them, not for any material gains.

The Catholic Church has striven and strives to preserve its faith and train its faithful.

How many Catholics has one seen spewing racist venom, indulging in hate speech against another community?

That is the essence of the Church.

If a person really wants to be a follower of Christ, the Nazarene, and if it is God’s will, nothing or no one can stop him or her.

After nearly a decade, I have gained nothing materially – no job or steady income. I depend on providence for my survival and have no regrets.

Jesus has given me as gift a heart burning with love and trust. That is all I need.