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.
The Tamil Nadu Bishops Council submitted that the prayer cannot be granted in view of the fact that the Centre and the State have no role to play in the appointment of Bishops. It is the Apostolic Nuncio to India who has to recommend the name to the Pope. The Pope is the appointing authority of Bishops all over the world.
Taking note of the submission made in the case, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice C.V. Karthikeyan said no relief can be granted to the petitioner and dismissed the petition.
Published – September 19, 2026 07:18 pm IST
