Plea to prevent discrimination in appointment of Bishops dismissed

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed in 2021 that alleged discrimination faced by Dalit Christians and lack of representation for them in the Roman Catholic church. The petition had sought a direction to the Centre and the State to prevent discrimination in the appointment of Bishops.

The court was hearing the petition filed by M. Anbarasan of Srivilliputtur in Virudhunagar district. The petitioner said though there is a demand for equal representation, the voices were not heeded by the Catholic hierarchy. The names of Dalit candidates were rejected. If equality was followed in the appointment of Bishops, all forms of discrimination could be eradicated, he said.