By Matters India Reporter
NEW DELHI, June 17, 2026: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has urged churches nationwide to observe June 28, 2026, as a National Day of Prayer in response to the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill.
The legislation, expected to be debated in Parliament’s Monsoon Session (June 21-August 21), has raised concerns about its impact on charitable, educational, healthcare, and social ministries run by Christian institutions.
“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,” wrote Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and CBCI president, in a June 17 circular.
The CBCI encouraged parishes to include special intentions during Mass, organize Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, prayer services, and voluntary fasting. Ecumenical gatherings with other Christian denominations were also recommended.
The circular asked dioceses and institutions to prepare memoranda signed by the faithful and “all people of goodwill,” expressing concerns about the bill’s possible effects. These documents may be submitted to the central government through local legislators.
Quoting St. Paul’s exhortation, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6), Cardinal Poola emphasized prayer as a peaceful and democratic expression of concern.
The circular requested that the message be translated into vernacular languages and read in all churches on June 21 to encourage participation in the nationwide observance.