Bengaluru: In a landmark moment for Indian Christianity, the National Federation of Churches in India (NFCI) was formally launched on May 8, 2026, during the Fourth National Ecumenical Bishops’ Fellowship Meeting at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences (SJNAHS) here. Amid escalating threats—violent attacks on pastors and faithful, stringent anti-conversion laws in several states, and moves to seize Church properties via FCRA amendments and a proposed Christian Welfare/Property Board—church leaders united to form this apex body, forging a single, resonant voice for Christ’s disciples across the nation.
The NFCI emerges as an urgent response to a “critical situation” facing India’s Churches, as articulated in the meeting’s proceedings. After two years of deliberation and guideline drafting, approximately 45 participants—including archbishops, bishops, church heads, and delegates from diverse denominations—approved the federation’s framework. This umbrella organization aims to represent all Churches comprehensively, fostering collaboration while honoring individual identities, traditions, and structures. Unlike existing national forums, which lack full inclusivity, NFCI uniquely serves as an all-India platform exclusively for bishops and church heads.
Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), opened the event with a compelling welcome address. “The pressing concerns of our Christian community demand unity,” he urged, spotlighting the need for a collective stand against persecution. The gathering began with an Ecumenical Prayer Service for Christian Unity, drawn from 2026 resources jointly prepared by the Roman Catholic Church’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches’ Commission on Faith and Order.
Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Chairman of the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, delivered the inaugural address, invoking ecumenists like Vatican II architects to underscore outreach for truth and shared mission. “We must unite to achieve what divides us,” he said, thanking participants for their commitment. An open-house ecumenical dialogue, moderated by Archbishop Joseph D’Souza—President of the Good Shepherd Church in India (GSCI) and All India Christian Council (AICC)—refined the NFCI guidelines amid floor suggestions.
The pivotal moment arrived with the guidelines’ approval, followed by leadership elections. Cardinal Poola was elected Chairman, with Archbishop D’Souza, Bishop Kallarangatt, and CSI Bishop Vincent Vinod Kumar (Karnataka Central Diocese) named Conveners. Bishop Akhlesh Edgar, General Secretary of the Council of Evangelical Churches in India, led a prayer of dedication for the launch. CSI Bishop Kumar pronounced the benediction, sealing the fraternity in Christ’s name.
This federation fills a glaring void. While bodies like the National Council of Churches exist, none encompass all denominations or prioritize bishops’ leadership. NFCI will champion common concerns—from legal battles over properties to countering violence—presenting “a united face of Christianity” to India. It promotes national-level fellowship among leaders, advancing ecumenism toward Jesus’ prayer for unity (John 17:21).
Participants hailed it as a “milestone in the ecumenical journey” and a “new chapter in fraternity and solidarity.” Cardinal Poola emphasized its role in navigating “hostile” terrains, while Archbishop D’Souza noted, “In division, we falter; in unity, we testify.” Bishop Kallarangatt added that NFCI strengthens ongoing movements, fostering dialogue on national issues like religious freedom.
The launch resonates deeply in Bengaluru, a hub of Christian activity, hosted at SJNAHS—a beacon of health sciences under Catholic stewardship. It signals resilience amid reports of over 500 attacks on Christians in 2025 alone, per rights groups, and state laws curbing conversions. NFCI’s formation could reshape advocacy, coordinating responses through CBCI’s New Delhi office (1 Ashok Place; [email protected]).
As India’s Christian population—about 2.3% or 28 million—faces marginalization, NFCI embodies hope. It invites all Churches to join, promising visible unity without erasing diversity. Church leaders predict it will amplify voices in Delhi, amplifying ecumenism’s fruits: joint relief efforts, theological exchanges, and policy advocacy.
In Cardinal Poola’s words, this is no mere forum—it’s a “fortress of faith.” For India’s Churches, long fragmented by denomination, NFCI heralds solidarity, ensuring the Gospel endures turbulent times. As one delegate reflected, “Unity isn’t optional; it’s our Lord’s command.” With NFCI, that command finds fresh momentum.