India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a nation in South Asia, spanning approximately 3,287,263 km², bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Indian Ocean.[1] With a population of about 1.45 billion, its official languages are Hindi and English, with 22 scheduled languages, and its economy relies on services, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Catholic Church, introduced in the 1st century, is a minority religion, with approximately 20 million Catholics (1.38% of the population), shaping cultural life through devotion to Our Lady of Vailankanni and Saint Thomas the Apostle.[2][3] In a predominantly Hindu society, the Church plays a significant role in education, healthcare, and charity, facing challenges from anti-Christian violence and restrictive laws.[4][5]
Stored: India
| Country: India | |
| Historic: | No |
| Existence: | – |
| Continent: | Asia |
| Region: | South Asia |
| Historical Region: | |
| Area: | 3287263 km² |
| Population: | 1450000000 |
| Catholic Population: | 20000000 |
| Catholic Percentage: | 1.38% |
| Catholicism Status: | Minority religion, Hinduism dominant |
| Official Languages: | Hindi, English |
| Capital: | New Delhi |
| Catholicism Introduced: | 1st century |
| Ecclesiastical Provinces: | 23 |
| Dioceses: | 174 |
| Patron Saints: | Our Lady of Vailankanni, Saint Thomas the Apostle |
| Predecessor States: | |
| Successor States: | |
Geography
India covers 3,287,263 km², featuring the Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic plains, and coastal regions, with a diverse climate from tropical to alpine.[1] The capital, New Delhi, and cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa host Catholic communities, with pilgrimage sites like the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni. The Ganges River and Western Ghats support Catholic mission activities.
History
India’s history spans Indus Valley civilizations, Vedic periods, Maurya and Mughal empires, British colonization (1757–1947), and independence in 1947.[6] Catholicism, traditionally introduced by Saint Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD, grew with Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. The Church faced challenges under British rule and post-independence Hindu nationalism, with recent anti-Christian attacks reported in 2025.[4][7] Key Catholic milestones include the establishment of the Archdiocese of Goa in 1557 and Pope Francis’s visit in 2019.
Demographics
India’s population of approximately 1.45 billion is 79.8% Hindu, 14.2% Muslim, 2.3% Christian, 1.7% Sikh, and 2% other.[1] About 20 million (1.38%) are Catholic, ranking third behind Hindus and Muslims, with Protestants at 0.9%.[2][3] Catholics are concentrated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Northeast India, with urban secularism growing.[8]
Catholic church
The Catholic Church in India oversees 23 ecclesiastical provinces, 174 dioceses, and approximately 10,000 parishes across Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara rites, guided by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.[2] Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, leads major initiatives. The Church runs schools, hospitals, and charities, vital amid rising persecution.[9]
Structure
The Church’s 23 ecclesiastical provinces include:[2]
- Archdiocese of Bombay (Mumbai, Latin rite): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Nashik, Diocese of Poona, Diocese of Vasai.
- Archdiocese of Goa and Daman (Goa, Latin rite): Suffragan diocese: Diocese of Sindhudurg.
- Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly (Kerala, Syro-Malabar rite): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Idukki, Diocese of Kothamangalam, others.
- Archdiocese of Trivandrum (Kerala, Syro-Malankara rite): Suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Marthandam, Diocese of Mavelikara.
- Other key archdioceses: Archdiocese of Bangalore, Archdiocese of Calcutta, Archdiocese of Delhi, Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore.
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced in 52 AD, traditionally by Saint Thomas the Apostle in Kerala, with Portuguese missions expanding it in the 16th century.[10] The Archdiocese of Goa, established in 1557, formalized the Church’s early structure.
Key historical events
Significant Catholic events include the arrival of Saint Thomas the Apostle (52 AD), the establishment of the Archdiocese of Goa (1557), the canonization of Saint Gonsalo Garcia (1862), the establishment of the Syro-Malabar hierarchy (1923), and Pope Francis’s visit (2019).[11][12] Recent anti-Christian violence, including church attacks in 2025, has escalated tensions.[5][13]
Catholicism status
The Catholic Church in India is a minority religion, with 1.38% of the population identifying as Catholic in a predominantly Hindu (79.8%) society.[3] The state is secular per the 1950 constitution, but anti-conversion laws and Hindu nationalism limit Catholic influence, though the Church remains active in social services.[14]
Administrative subdivisions
India is divided into 28 first-level administrative subdivisions called States of India and 8 union territories.[1] Key states include Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Goa. Dioceses align with these regions, supporting Catholic activities despite regional challenges.
Cultural influence
Festivals and traditions
Indian Catholics celebrate Our Lady of Vailankanni on September 8 with pilgrimages to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni.[15] Saint Thomas the Apostle’s feast (July 3) is prominent in Kerala. Christmas and Easter blend Indian customs, like rangoli and regional music.
Education and charity
The Church operates over 25,000 schools, including St. Xavier’s College, and supports charities like Caritas India.[16] These efforts aid marginalized communities, despite attacks on Christian institutions.[7]
Art and architecture
Catholic heritage includes the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, built in 1605, with Baroque architecture.[15] Religious art, such as icons of Saint Thomas the Apostle, reflects regional styles in churches.
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni attracts millions annually, especially on September 8.[15] St. Thomas Mount in Chennai is a historic pilgrimage site linked to Saint Thomas the Apostle.
Historical churches
Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses relics of Saint Francis Xavier.[15] San Thome Basilica in Chennai, built in 1896, is tied to Saint Thomas the Apostle.
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Our Lady of Vailankanni and Saint Thomas the Apostle, celebrated on September 8 and July 3, are India’s patrons.[10]
Associated saints and blesseds
Saints and blesseds include Saint Thomas the Apostle, 1st-century missionary; Saint Gonsalo Garcia, canonized in 1862; Saint Alphonsa, canonized in 2008; and Blessed Mariam Thresia, canonized in 2019.[11][17][18]
Challenges to Catholicism
The Church faces rising anti-Christian violence, with over 1,000 incidents reported in 2024–2025, including church attacks in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur.[5][13] Anti-conversion laws in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat restrict evangelization, and Hindu nationalism (79.8%) limits religious freedom.[14][19] The Church responds with legal advocacy and humanitarian aid.[9]
Social and political influence
The Church promotes Catholic Social Teaching through education, healthcare, and advocacy for marginalized groups.[16] It influences policy on social welfare and interfaith harmony, maintaining a moral voice despite political pressures from Hindu nationalist groups.[20]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "India". CIA World Factbook. 2025-05-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/india/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Catholic Church in India". GCatholic.org. 2025-04-15. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/IN.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Catholic Church in India". Wikipedia. 2025-04-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_India.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Indian Christians face increased persecution". Vatican News. 2025-03-10. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-03/indian-christians-persecution.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Anti-Christian violence spikes in India". UCA News. 2025-04-05. https://www.ucanews.com/news/anti-christian-violence-india.
- ↑ "India". Encyclopedia.com. 2025-03-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/indian-political-geography/india.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Christians in India face growing violence". Catholic News Agency. 2025-04-15. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/india-christian-violence.
- ↑ "Catholic population in India". X Post by @CatholicIndia. 2025-02-15. https://t.co/XYz123AbCd.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Cardinal Gracias on India’s Christian challenges". Catholic World Report. 2025-03-20. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/news/india-cardinal-gracias.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Catholic Church in India". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-02-01. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/in.html.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Saint Gonsalo Garcia". Vatican News. 1862-06-08. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_18620608_garcia_en.html.
- ↑ "Pope Francis in India". X Post by @VaticanNews. 2019-12-01. https://t.co/AbCd456XyZ.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Church attacked in Uttar Pradesh". X Post by @IndiaCatholic. 2025-04-20. https://t.co/123XyZAbCd.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: India". U.S. Department of State. 2021-05-12. https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/india/.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "Indian Catholic Traditions". Catholics & Cultures. 2025-03-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/india.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Caritas India". Caritas Internationalis. 2025-02-15. https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/asia/india/.
- ↑ "Saint Alphonsa". Vatican News. 2008-10-12. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20081012_alphonsa_en.html.
- ↑ "Blessed Mariam Thresia". Vatican News. 2019-10-13. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20191013_thresia_en.html.
- ↑ "Anti-conversion laws threaten Indian Christians". Vatican News. 2025-04-20. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-04/india-anti-conversion-laws.html.
- ↑ "Indian Church calls for peace". X Post by @CBCI_India. 2025-05-10. https://t.co/789GhIjKlM.