Case filed in Central Gujarat against Church priest over alleged religious conversion of a minor boy

Anand: A case of religious conversion of juvenile boy without prior permission of district collector has been filed in Petlad rural police station against a then priest of Amod based Parish Priest Catholic Church under Freedom of Religion Act.

A Church priest who is not named in FIR is accused of religious conversion of minor age boy without prior approval of parents and district collector.

According to FIR draft, the parents of a minor child had love marriage through Hindu customs in year 2001. Child’s mother would often visit Church. Minor child’s school leaving certificate mentions him as Hindu. Similarly, child’s mother’s school leaving certificate and caste certificate also mention her as Hindu. Child’s father is also Hindu by faith. In 2008, minor’s parents had divorce. In 2012, Church priest without informing district collector and parents, allegedly converted child to Christian faith with help of his mother.

Complainant who is a local social worker active in Forum for Peace and Justice at Dharmaj, had sent application to district collector in this regard, following which a complaint has been filed against Church priest. Complainant in FIR stated that he came to know about religious conversion of minor in year 2013. He said, the minor boy’s father had made representation regarding this religious conversion that took place without prior permission of district collector.

DeshGujarat