Ecumenical solidarity in the face of religious restrictions: Christian development in contemporary India

Abstract

Christian Development Organizations (CDOs) in India face increasing constraints as Hindu nationalism, anti-conversion laws, and restrictions on foreign funding limit their work. This article examines how CDOs can adapt to such pressures by analyzing three key expressions of Christian development: secular organizations, faith-based organizations, and local churches. Secular CDOs maintain a non-confessional public identity while embodying Christian values through service and integrity; faith-based organizations openly integrate faith with legal compliance to enable public witness; and local churches leverage relational networks for holistic community engagement. Drawing on literature, policy analysis, and case studies, the article highlights how these strategies allow CDOs to sustain development efforts despite growing regulatory and ideological challenges. The study argues that strategic ecumenical cooperation and global solidarity are essential for protecting religious freedom, pooling resources, and strengthening resilience. From a missiological perspective, the article contributes by connecting CDO practices to theological witness, showing how mission can be faithfully embodied even in constrained and hostile contexts. By exploring the tensions between faith, development, and political restrictions in India, this article advances discussions on contextual theology, organizational hybridity, and mission practice in restrictive settings.

Keywords

Christian development organizations religious restrictions in India ecumenical collaboration under restriction transformative ecumenism faith-based advocacy social transformation

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